Paul passed away suddenly on March 7 from heart failure while on a motorbike tour of Vietnam with family and friends.

His son Simon said Paul was an inspiring mentor to all those around him, especially as a father.

“He will be sorely missed by his friends and family, none more so than by his six grandchildren who loved him dearly,” he said. 

Paul was born on February 1, 1955 at Bulli Hospital, to Desmond and Ellen Hancox.

He was the youngest of six brothers and left high school aged 15 for an electrician apprenticeship in the Coal Mines in South Bulli. 

Paul met Jenny in 1971 and the couple married in 1976. 

Paul’s first start in sales was as a renoware cookware salesman. He went door to door around the Wollongong area for 12 months in 1975. The experience gave Paul a taste for sales, and eventually led to a successful career in real estate decades later. 

Paul and Jenny celebrated the births of their two children Simon (born 1979) and Natalie (born 1981). 

The family relocated to Laurieton in 1984 for what was meant to be a 12 month plan to assist with the running of Jenny’s parents’ seafood shop. However the Hancox family never returned permanently to Wollongong, after they fell in love with the Camden Haven.

In 1988 Paul enrolled in a real estate agent’s course and once qualified he got his first paid position at KB Hall & Sons - Nationwide Realty, which was located where Delizioso is today.

Paul’s boss was the hugely respected Ken Hall, who remained his industry mentor until his passing in the mid 90s. 

Paul and his business partner, John Smith (local surveyor) bought the business from Ken’s family and it continued as Nationwide Realty in 1996.

Paul bought John Smith out of his share and has operated the business as PRDnationwide Laurieton in the same location as today since 2003. 

As a sports fanatic Paul was a huge supporter of the Camden Haven Redbacks Football Club. Paul was a lifelong rugby league lover and described by his son Simon as being a ‘Manly Sea Eagles tragic’. 

Simon said Paul was passionate about lawn bowls and he played at the Kew Country Club. 

“He went from once a week social bowls, to participating in tournaments, pennants and playing regularly,” he said. 

“By all reports, he was a well-respected bowler whose skills were developing rapidly with his short time in the game. 

“He looked forward to spending more time on the rink in his retiring years and the camaraderie of the members and his competitive spirit is what kept him going back.”

Through his business Paul also supported groups including Camden Haven Redbacks, Kendall Riding for the Disabled, North Haven Bowling Club Fishing Carnival, Riverview Bowls Carnival, Laurieton Swimming Club, Camden Haven Netball Club, Kendall Tennis Club, Kew Country Club - Bowls and Kendall Public School

The community is invited to attend Paul’s funeral at 1pm on Friday, March 23 at the Anglican Church in Lakewood. The service will be followed by a burial at Laurieton Cemetery and a wake at the Laurieton United Services Club from 3pm.

The family would like people to donate to the Kendall Riding for the Disabled Association instead of a flower purchase.