CRONULLA identity Curly Symonds, who died last week aged 93, has been remembered for his tireless efforts in mentoring the young of the shire as a football, hockey and swimming coach, and caring for the elderly as welfare officer of Cronulla RSL Sub-branch for almost 40 years.
Mr Symonds died on September 8, six days after his twin brother Bill, known as Yooka, passed away.
He is survived by his daughter Jill Anderson and son Bruce and their families.
There will be a memorial service for Curly at Cronulla RSL Club on Friday October 2.
Daughter Jill paid tribute to her "remarkable and inspirational" father.
Mr Symonds and his twin brother Bill, were born in Bondi in 1922.
He was one of six children and his mother was widowed three years after his birth, and brought up the children on her own during the depression.
The twin brothers served together in a Darwin-based anti-aircraft regiment during World War II.
Mr Symonds saved his twin brother's life on three occasions.
After he married Dot and moved to Cronulla, Mr Symonds helped to form the Cronulla RSL Youth Club rugby league team.
"He coached them from 1962 to 1968, taking them to an unprecedented seven E grade premiership wins," Mrs Anderson said.
"Dad went from league to women's hockey in the early 1960s and was actively involved in various capacities until just a few years ago.
"He took on many roles within the RSL itself, not just the youth club but also the Sub-branch, where he was welfare officer for almost 40 years."
"As welfare officer he made almost 2000 visits a year, visiting the widows, widowers, the sick and infirm.
"Through this he made many lifelong friends, and many of the children of those he visited continued to keep in touch with Dad when their parent had passed away. He did this while caring for his wife who suffered with bipolar and Alzheimer's disease."
Mr Symonds received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his welfare efforts for Cronulla RSL. His twin brother also received the OAM for his welfare and charity work in the Bondi area.
"He donated blood 110 times, as well as door knocking for them, delivered Meals on Wheels until he could no longer drive due to losing his eyesight.
"He taught swimming at the Gunnamatta pool and Harry Gibbons' Aquatic Centre in Flinders Road, Woolooware.
"He raised funds for Legacy as well as having Legacy children come and stay at our home for holidays.
"He belonged to the Australia-China Friendship Society, having people from China coming to stay with he and Mum and he travelled to China three times."
"Both Mum and Dad were involved in the P & C for both Woolooware Public School and Cronulla High School.
"They also belonged to the Cronulla Theatre Co.
"He would also be remembered from election days, handing out How To Vote leaflets for the Labor Party.
"He fought for many issues including Death With Dignity. Thankfully he was able to die on his own terms in his own home, in good health.
"He still walked most days, calling in at the Cronulla RSL.
"We rarely had a holiday without other kids — cousins, neighbours' children and children of an army mate who had MS.
"The greatest gift he gave to his footballers, and possibly why he was such a successful coach, was his ability to get them to believe in themselves."
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