By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The father of Redcliffe Harness Racing Club president, Bernie Ring, will be farewelled tomorrow (Thursday April 27) at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens on Albany Creek Road.
Jack (John) Ring, passed away in palliative care at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside on Friday, April 14.
He is survived by his three children, Alison (63), Helen (60), and Bernie (56), five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
“Dad has left a massive hole in our lives, because he’s always been there – I’ve always lived with him. I’m okay now, but we will see how I am on Thursday. We also had a brother Danny who sadly died when he was four, and Mum (Rhonda) passed away 10 years ago last Christmas Eve.
“I’ve lived with my parents since day one, so it’s going to be very empty without Dad. But thankfully I have a great family and plenty of things to do with my Railways job, the presidency of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, my sport, and my DJ work with 99.7 Bridge FM,” said Ring, who isn’t married.
Ring followed his father into a Queensland Rail career 37 years ago. He said his Dad was the kindest and gentlest man anyone could meet,. He said he never had a bad word to say about anyone.
“Dad was born in Mount Perry and left school in Grade Seven. Soon after he became a small engine mechanic in Bundaberg and then married Mum in 1953. That was two years after Dad joined Queensland Rail as an engine cleaner in Mayne, before. Then in 1952 they relocated to Toowoomba and started a family,” Ring said.
In 1953 the Rings relocated to Charleville in early 1953 where they remained until 1965. Then in 1965 the family moved to Brighton near Sandgate, before moving to Kallangur and then Narangba 15 years ago.
“Dad also loved the trots and liked the work I did at Redcliffe. I used to help out Craig McKinnis a bit and Dad used to come with me.
“When he retired in 1994 his the first horse he raced was the 1980s pacer, Mataram Bay. He was trained by a former Queensland Rail Guard and former Marburg Club President, Graham Harriott.
“He won a race at Rocklea (November 18, 1989) with Gordon Francis in the bike. I actually held a trainers license once and Dad used to help me.
“Dad used to help out other trainers like Ashleigh Herbertson and Graham Martin as well. He came off the farm, so he always loved animals,” Ring said.
He said his father’s health started to deteriorate in 2019 after he suffered a fall.
“Dad was also a diabetic and that fall in the summer of 2019 really took the wind out of his sails. He was always alert, but deep down I don’t think he ever recovered from that knock.”
The Vale Jack Ring The Redcliffe Harness racing Club will honour Mr Ring with Jack Ring Pace tonight (Wednesday) at Redcliffe Paceway. The 1,780-metre mobile fifth event kicks off at 7.31pm.
Mr Ring’s funeral will be held at 10.30am tomorrow (Thursday April 27) at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Chapel on Albany Creek Road, in Albany Creek.
“There will be tea, coffee and sandwiches at Lakeview. When that is finished anyone who wants to can make there way to Aspley Hornets Football Club (50 Grahams Road, Carseldine) for a few drinks and stories,” Ring said.
LIVE STREAM:
For those that cannot make the funeral the live stream can be viewed at this link…….
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4MTcyNTEyNzExMzA1Nzgmb25lcm9vbS1lbWFpbCZpbnZpdGF0aW9uX2NvcHlfbGluaw==
The Ring family from left – Allison, Bernie, and Helen, pictured in front of their father, Jack.
So sad and my condolences to the family.