Fred Love was remembered as a "fantastic handyman", a keen cyclist and a great family man at a thanksgiving celebration on Saturday, October 17.
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The following day, his ashes were scattered across Grant Head - a place where he had dedicated his latter years to making weed-free.
His wife of 57 years, Judy, described her husband as a "good man" who was very practical and very bright.
Fred taught at three different schools during his teaching career - North Sydney Boys High School, where he was the youngest head science teacher in the state; Parramatta High, a prominent selective school; and, Turramurra High School, where he implemented the entire computer program for the school.
When he retired in 2000, Fred maintained a close link to teaching with some casual work.
"In between all that, we had a stint in Canada in 1979 where Fred taught and again in 1991 when I taught and Fred did some casual teaching," Judy said.
"Throughout his career, Fred was widely known as a very creative science teacher.
"He wrote a series of text books on physics and chemistry."
Fred was originally from Tamworth and his parents always holidayed at North Haven.
After meeting Judy, who was from Taree, the couple bought a block of land at Bonny Hills in 1974 which became their holiday house.
"It was to eventually become our home up until about six weeks ago when we moved to North Haven," Judy said.
"About this time Fred realised the extent bitou bush was having on the Bonny Hills area. He wanted to leave Bonny Hills weed-free.
"The headland - Grants Head - is a great tribute to that work.
"He would criss-cross it morning and afternoon - he was just so committed to the task," she said.
Fred was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 but he continued to enjoy a full and rich life, including his love of cycling.
While he eventually enjoyed the pastime on an electric bike, Fred continued riding up until his final ride in April with his son.
Fred and Judy raised four children - Murray, who lives in Canada with his son Duncan; Stuart a geologist, Andrew who followed his parents into teaching and Louise, a stay-at-home mother. They have two grandchildren.
Judy thanked the many people who paid tribute to Fred's generosity.
"Fred always had time for people. He was a fantastic handyman. He was just one of those people who was very talented.
"He wasn't perfect, of course, but he was very smart and driven and very focussed.
"I have experienced a wonderful outpouring of emotions from everyone," Judy said.
"He was a good man.
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