Mike Izzard Update 1

Trish, Mick’s widow, passed away on the 5th of January.  Chris, their son, has advised that she had achieved her goals for the year having seen Christmas come and go, being around for her and Mick’s Wedding Anniversary on 30 Dec (53 years) and seeing the New Year in. As previously mentioned, Trish had been bravely battling pancreatic cancer for the past 12 months.

As with Mick, there was no funeral, but details of a celebration of (now) both their lives can be seen at the link below.  It will be held at the Belconnen Soccer Club from 1200hrs on 31 Jan 26.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/tributes-funerals/memorial-tributes-and-services/742024/izzard-michael-and-patricia/

A Catch Up with Lee Pattinson

Peter and Sue Martyn celebrated Xmas in Deniliquin which provided the opportunity to briefly link up with Lee Pattinson.  

Peter noted that Lee is doing well but like all of us he is starting to show that time does catch up with you. He surely remembers the good times we all had in 69/70.

Lee and Peter. 
Winnie, Lee, Peter and Sue 
And …. Lee and Peter with a little AI touch up to knock off 30 years – but it didn’t add a little bit more hair!

Mike Izzard

Some more information on Mike Izzard, with thanks to Eric Rigter, Bill Blair (Class of 1974), the RASigs network and the OCS Alumni. Mike was in Kapyong Company and was in our class for 1969 and 1970.  

Major Michael G. Izzard, RA Sigs (Retd), OCS Class of December 1972 (Scheyville Wing) died on 16 December 2025, after some years of poor health.

His family has advised that he didn’t wish to have a funeral service. The family is intending to hold a celebration of his life early in the new year.

Mick died from respiratory arrest second to aspiration and had suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for some time. COPD is largely caused from smoking and Mick, by his own admission, having taken up the habit on joining Army, had smoked too heavily for too long.  He had lost his left leg above the knee some years ago due to vascular disease, also caused by smoking.  He had only recently made a claim through DVA for his smoking habit and was allocated a Gold Card just three weeks ago.   

His wife, Trish, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer December last year and has just finished her chemo treatment.  She is at home and had a visit from a palliative care nurse recently but is apparently “getting by”.

A Christmas Greeting

Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. May you enjoy the company and comfort of family, loved ones and friends. At this time, we keep in our hearts and minds the memory of those who have left us, and their loved ones still with us.

Mates forever.

Vale Nev White

This is to sadly advise that Nev White passed away today. The Canberra Engineers are supporting Michele and the family.

Eric and Paulette had a long telephone call with Michele this afternoon; in the circumstances she is alright and is holding it together.

Michele has advised that she will be following Nev’s written wishes, given to his daughters in 2023. Accordingly, they will have a private cremation and will then hold a small get-together of family and close friends to celebrate Nev’s life.  She had no idea when the get-together would be held, but it will not be till well after Christmas.

As previously requested please do not contact Michele directly, but pass on any messages through Eric.”

Nev White very seriously ill

Classmates,

I regret to advise that Nev White is very seriously ill.  He became ill in Brisbane about seven weeks ago after driving from Canberra.  Within days he was in hospital,  had been diagnosed with multiple advanced cancers, had difficulty communicating and had failed a cognition test.  He was returned to Canberra where he underwent about a week of radiotherapy.  Since then he has mostly been medicated at home, where his mobility and communication deteriorated further.  After another short period in hospital he is now home again, receiving palliative care.  He cannot communicate and it is not clear what he understands or if he recognises people.   

This has been very hard on Michele and family. The Canberra Sappers have been aware and have provided what support they can.   Michele has now agreed to inform the broader class group, but is keen to maintain family privacy and dignity.   Please do not contact Michele directly but if you wish to pass a message please do so through Eric at ericrigter@gmail.com.    

Christmas in Canberra

Having been ‘volunteered’ to organise this year’s Canberra Christmas gathering, Pat and Kym have made a decision to return to Snappers at the Yarralumla Yacht Club.  A booking has been made for 1200 (midday!) on Monday 8th Dec.

Please put it in your diaries – a reminder and a request for firm numbers will be sent out  in the preceding week. 

The invitation includes spouses/partners/friends, and any out-of-towners who might be in Canberra on that date.

Dress code this year will be Tacky Xmas shirt for the men (within limits): ladies their usual stylish daywear.