By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THE Probus Club of Pakenham East were sad to lose foundation member and inaugural secretary Cromwell Bray last week.
Crom Bray, who bravely fought cancer, died on Sunday 8 March at Casey Hospital.
Crom, a club member of nine years, helped draw up the club’s constitution and rules as secretary and was later appointed as club safety officer.
Born in Ballarat in 1929, Crom was the son of a grocery shop owner and went on to be an industrial chemist for a number of well-known pain companies.
Crom was very active and a life member in the professional association of the Surface Coatings Association Australia.
Throughout his life he was a card-carrying member and a strong supporter of the Australian Labor Party.
Before moving to Pakenham, Crom lived in Berwick for 30 years.
He was active in community affairs including the Berwick District Arts Council and Berwick and District Film Society as well as a member of the Berwick Lions Club and a Life Member of the Men’s Probus Club of Berwick.
Crom married his wife Jane Cranstone in 1962 and the pair had one daughter, Alice.
Jane died in 1999.
Probus Publicity Officer Bruce Gillies says the club will miss their friend.
“Crom’s extensive knowledge of many subjects, his friendship and his generosity will be greatly missed by those who knew him.”
