VALE Tony Gaze 1920-2013
The following statement was issued by Chris Davison on behalf of the family.
Squadron Leader F.A.O. [Tony] Gaze, OAM, DFC and 2 Bars.
Tony Gaze passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning the 29th July, 2013 in Geelong, Victoria. He was 93 years old.
He had kept good health and happiness in the past 51 weeks since Mum's death last August, and had stayed in his beautiful home in Barwon Heads up until the past ten days.
So many thanks go to his wonderful carers Susie Burston, Lisa Binder, Jane Wells, Annie Bowen and Melissa Rae, plus the ongoing support of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We will hold private family funeral service for him this week. This will be followed by the memorial service in the coming weeks to celebrate his incredible life, where we invite his many friends and admirers to join us at that time. I will send details of this service within a few days, when arrangements have been completed.
Tony was a highly admired and respected man, and a real life legend to so many, but to us, he was a unique, loving, caring and especially loyal man. We are going to really miss him.
It has been a pleasure and honour to be able to spend so much quality time with him in the past few years, and especially to assist with his happiness and care since Mum died last year.
Please feel free to circulate this notice to his friends, associates and admirers.
Sincerely and Regards,
Chris Davison, on behalf of his family.
Following his wartime service (which included 12.5 'kills' and being shot down and evading capture in occupied France), Gaze suggested to then Earl of Richmond, that the surrounds of the RAF fighter station on his property would be an ideal venue for motor racing. This led soon after to the circuit that everyone now knows as Goodwood.
After a stint racing in Australia in the late 1940s, Gaze returned to Britain in 1951, purchasing an HWM-Alta to race the following year, thus becoming the first Australian to compete in the officially-recognised Grand Prix circuit. In 1955, Gaze established the 'Kangaroo Stable', Australia's first GP team.
Gaze also partnered racing rivals Stan Jones and Lex Davison in an assault on the Monte Carlo rally in a 48-215 Holden in 1953 - the first Australians to take on the rally in an Australian car. That feat was re-enacted earlier this year by Richard Davison (Lex's son), Gary Poole and Craig Lowndes.
Tony Gaze's racing exploits may have not resulted in a victory, but he paved the way for Australian involvement in international motorsport competition.
The death of Tony Gaze comes after the passing of his wife, Diana, in August, 2012. Previously married to Lex Davison, Diana was as enthusiastic about motorspotr as both Tony and Lex, even competing herself in a number of events.
JUST CARS extends its sympathies to the Gaze and Davison families, as well as friends and associates of this trailblazing Australian.
