The passing of Tim Comino was a little too early for us.
There was more to do, but because of the disease that affected him, sadly he could not go on.
But we all have to look at the bright side of life and I would think that he achieved his bucket load.
Tim and I, his brother, spent great times together.
We went fishing out to the reefs, went to South America, went to Africa for the wildlife and the gorillas which was absolutely amazing.
The desert trips, Lake Eyre, the French line, Cooper’s Creek, Arnhem Land and the trips Tim took across Australia with his wife – yes, he filled his bucket.
In 1968, Tim finished school and could not get out quick enough!
His first real job in Emerald was with David Busst, he was all of 18 years old, driving trucks delivering fuel.
Later, he then moved to Comet, working for Trevor Kemp delivering the fuel and mail run.
He very much enjoyed the fuel run over the dirt and dusty roads, giving the governesses an escape route for the weekends to dances and pubs.
He joined Rural Youth, having a great time.
Neil Dunbar tells the story of how they pushed a pram from Emerald to Comet with one of them in the pram in one day, raising money for charity.
Tim passed away on 2 April after celebrating his 74th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary.
He and wife Anna moved to Cooroy in 1986 with young twin sons, Nicolas and Leon.
Tim became the new proprietor of the local Mitre 10 at Maple Street, later expanding and relocating it to Jarrah St in the industrial estate.
He approached the business with enthusiasm and vigour, adding a garden centre and expanding trading to seven days a week.
In 1988, Tim and Anna welcomed their third son, Alex.
Tim was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Cooroy and Anna said he enjoyed hosting exchange students and mentoring local students at the Noosa District High School during Business Week.
He became an honorary member of the Rotary Club in 2021.
As well as his involvement in Rotary and endless barbecues and sausage sizzles, Tim would always put his hand up to volunteer on fundraisers and committees for local groups like Scouts and Cooroy Kindergarten where his sons attended over the years.
Born in Emerald, after boarding school in Brisbane, Tim worked a claim at the Rubyvale Gemfields for 12 years.
He loved the life out there, operating big machinery and dealing with many challenges, handling machinery problems, water supply and dealing and selling his stone to those crafty buyers from overseas, Anna said.
“They were wild times out there in the 1970s and he formed many lifelong friendships with locals from Emerald and the Gemfields,“ she added.
Anna said Tim’s love of adventure saw him joining 4WD groups to explore remote parts of Australia.
“He was determined to get to the most northerly, southerly, eastern and western parts of the continent, which he did achieve,“ she said.
Overseas trips were also on his bucket list and Tim made three trips to Africa and even Antarctica.
In later years, Tim and Anna made several trips to Europe, Asia, Canada, Alaska and North and South Americfa.
Anna said it was only after 21 years in business that Tim retired and took it easy.
“But sadly, his recent struggles, since 2017 with mobility issues caused by Lewy Body Disease, necessitated full-time care and he became a resident at Arcare Noosa in September 2021,“ Anna said.
Anna and her family would like to thank the staff at Arcare for their kindness and compassionate care during his time there.
