Obituary – RICHARD HEELIS (born 25/12/41; died 16/8/14) Aged 72.
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Richard (Chirp) Heelis was born on the December 25 1941 in a private hospital in William St Bellingen called, ‘Killarney’, a building that later became the first home he purchased for his family in 1975.
He grew up in Bellingen and attended St Mary’s Primary School and Coffs Harbour High School. Following graduation, Chirp attended Armidale Teacher’s College, graduating in 1960. He took up his first teaching post in Bungawalbyn and returned to Bellingen Primary School in 1965, a year before his marriage to Maureen, a position he held until his retirement in 1997.
Chirp, Maureen and family lived in Bellingen until 1987 when they moved to Fernmount. In 2001, Chirp and Maureen retired to Mylestom, where they continued to live until Chirp’s passing.
Chirp was a dedicated member of many community organisations. He was a member of the Bellinger Valley North Beach Surf Life saving club from his early teens, and took up the position of president when he returned to the beach to retire. Chirp was a patron of the club and a member of the Bellingen Lions Club for 25 years.
He had great memories of the achievements of the Lions club and the fun times they had together. Chirp was also a member of the Bellingen Fire Brigade, a position he held for over 24 years.
There were many passions in Chirp’s life – gardening, fishing and of course the St George Dragons.
Chirp was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. In the time that ensued, Chirp never once let the disease beat him. He had numerous bouts of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to zap the spread of the disease once it metastasized into his bones. He hardly ever complained of pain and went about doing the most that he could do in order to hold the disease at bay. The staff at the oncology ward in Coffs Harbour looked after every one of Chirp’s needs and were dedicated to assisting him in prolonging his life and easing his pain.
Likewise, in Chirp’s final months, the Bellingen palliative care community nurses and Silver Chain palliative care assisted Maureen and son Jim in ensuring Chirp had all he needed to make himself more comfortable.
The staff at Baringa hospital need also be mentioned as they were instrumental in ensuring Chirp was comfortable and pain free during his final days. Their high level of dedication and care is to be commended.
Chirp is survived by his wife Maureen and son Jim.