By Parker McKenzie
80 years after the brigade was founded, the last living founding member of Ferntree Gully CFA has died, taking a wealth of knowledge with him.
Ferntree Gully CFA advised the public on Facebook of the passing of Raymond Stanley Parker BEM at age 97, the last living member of the brigade when it was first formed in 1942.
Mr Parker was Captain of Ferntree Gully CFA from 1962 to 1971 and Knox Group Officer from 1964 to 1974. He retired from active fire service in 1982 and established a flying business in Queensland.
Ferntree Gully Community Safety Manager Graham Crichton said he remembers Mr Parker from his time as the “proper officer” in the area.
“It’s really disappointing he is gone. We were going to write a book that didn’t eventuate and people like Ray had all these memories, it’s a lot of history we’ve unfortunately lost,” he said.
“The messages he was putting out during his time as proper officer in the Knox area are very similar to what we send out today.”
Mr Parker served as a transport driver in the Royal Australia Air Force from 1943 to 1945 and was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1968 for his time as the Knox Group Officer for his leadership “during the protracted operations of the preceding summer.”
He is remembered by his extended family, including his two daughters and sons-in-law, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held for Mr Parker in Queensland on 1 December.
“We celebrate a life well lived,” Ferntree Gully CFA wrote on Facebook.
“Our brigade’s sincere and deepest condolences are extended to the family and friends of Ray.”
