Richard Blight was a kind and humble man who dedicated countless hours of his 81 years in the Macleay Valley to his work, his love of music, his church and a number of local sporting and community groups in Kempsey.
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Above all else, Richard was a family man who always made time for his children and wife Lenore.
Richard sadly passed away in January of this year at 81 years of age. He leaves behind a rich history and legacy that will live on in the community.
His name has always been synonymous with band music in the Macleay Valley.
"Richard joined the District Silver Band when he was 11," Lenore reflects as we sit on her back deck at the home she shared with her husband.
"His mother was musical and she encouraged Richard and his brothers to pursue music. He first learnt to play piano before moving onto brass."
Richard was involved in the Kemspey District Silver Band for 67 years and taught a number of students to play musical instruments over the years at Kempsey East Public School during his lunch breaks.
His love for music came from his family, but also from his church.
"He was always involved in church over the years and taught Sunday School and led youth groups for the church. He would also play the piano and organ for many church events and ceremonies," Lenore said.
Richard was born and bred in Kempsey, while Lenore grew up in Gladstone from the age of three. The two met at a dance in Kempsey in 1959.
"At the time Richard was playing at a number of dances in the community and I had been to a few, but hadn't taken any notice of who was in the band.
"We met at a gathering our two churches had organised. He was a Methodist and I was Anglican," Lenore smiles.
Richard and Lenore were married in 1962. They had three children who were brought up in a loving household surrounded by music.
"The three children and Richard were all involved in the Silver Band," Lenore said.
"Band practice was on Thursday nights and I just knew I wouldn't see him on Thursday nights because of that."
He wasn't one to blow his own trumpet. He was a very humble man.
- Lenore Blight
Their daughter Elizabeth said her and her siblings never felt they missed out on anything growing up because they were involved as well.
"We always did things together and because we were involved, we were always spending time together as a family," she said.
As well as Richard's community work, he was, and still is, the longest serving employee at The Macleay Argus. Richard began his time at the Argus as a 15-year-old apprentice in the production department and continued his career as a compositor for the next 47 years.
Lenore also worked at the Argus from 1989 to 2006, 11 of those years alongside her husband.
"Us kids always had our photos in the paper when we were younger because of dad, we used to go into the darkroom while the photos were being developed. We really did feel like we were part of the Argus family," Elizabeth said.
Richard also worked at Tank FM for 15 years where he co-hosted the local Saturday morning sports show and the Christian music segment on Sunday nights.
Richard also dedicated 10 years to playing the piano at Parklands Cottage.
He served as vice president of the Macleay District Tennis Association and was a keen cricketer as well.
"He would be able to point out each oval and tell us how many runs he scored there," Elizabeth remembers.
Richard was recognised for his commitment to the community in 1979 when he was awarded the Coastline Credit Union Keith Henry Endowment Award and in 1996 he was awarded an achievement award at the Kempsey Shire Council Australia Day Ceremony.
Although many locals know Richard for his work in the community, above all else he was a loyal and committed family man.
"He really was a special person and was a wonderful husband," Lenore reflects.
"He wasn't one to blow his own trumpet. He was a very humble man."
"His life was one that was fully lived," Elizabeth added.
Hundreds of people whose lives were touched by Richard filled the Chapel of Walkers Crematorium & Memorial Gardens on January 17 to remember his incredible life. Tony Hayes spoke of Richard's contribution to the Silver Band, Greg Mayhew spoke of his years spent at the Macleay Argus, John Russell highlighted his time at Tank FM and Jeff Murnain spoke of his dedication to his church, while Richard's daughter Alison described his commitment to his family.
Richard is survived by his wife Lenore, their children Elizabeth, Mark and Alison, grandchildren Alexis, Cameron and Allyce and great grandsons Elijah and Damien.
