Work colleagues farewell much-loved mate ‘Ted’

Staff walked out of a Geraldton supermarket last Thursday, took up positions on the footpath and watched solemnly as the casket of a loved workmate passed.

Simply referred to as “Ted”, Dale Forsyth was only 30.

He finished work in September, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

The funeral car diverted from St John’s School in Rangeway — where Mr Forsyth was head boy in Year 7 — en route to Utakarra Cemetery, so past and present workmates at Wonthella Supa IGA in Fifth Street could say farewell.

On September 27, Mr Forsyth was in one ward of Geraldton Hospital receiving treatment when partner Kylee Gwilliam was in another, giving birth to Indianna, their first daughter and their third child.

Dale and Kylee married in an “intimate backyard ceremony” on January 12.

They spent their wedding night in Geraldton Hospital, Mr Forsyth requiring treatment.

Nurses in the palliative care unit at St John of God Hospital Geraldton were moved by his politeness and humour, with sayings such as “100 per cent”; “thanks, thanks”; “likewise”, “definitely, definitely”; “that’s madness”; “what a bloke”; “what a joker”; and “God bless”.

Mr Forsyth died in his bed at home listening to his favourite gospel song — Take Me To The River.