Losing a loved one is never easy, but there’s a particular cruelty when that death is unexpected. While the hours and days afterwards are filled with a grief that at times feels limitless, the immediacy of the pain will inevitably give way to thoughts of moments shared with those we’ve lost.
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Final conversations are replayed over and over in the mind’s eye and we wish for an opportunity to cross the barrier of time for a second chance to say “thank you for everything, you meant the world to me, I love you”.
Thoughts return to the last time we saw them and whether or not we were too busy to truly appreciate the great gift that person was in our lives.
Our hearts break for the Schipp family, who will be feeling all of these things in the coming weeks, and for those who knew Joe so well. When someone is so vibrant, so full of life, it’s hard to reconcile the knowledge of their passing with our memories.
In what is perhaps the saddest twist of fate, Joe was supposed to deliver the eulogy for his close friend (and fellow Member for Wagga) Wal Fife at St John’s church on Thursday. Together, they had served the community for decades and even after the baton was passed they continued to work for the betterment of the city.
The passing was so sudden that Archbishop Francis Carroll actually called on Joe to deliver the eulogy, but after a few quiet moments he called on Daryl Maguire instead. But such was the way with these men, “the three musketeers”, that Daryl got up and got on with the job for Joe.
Any city would feel the loss of one great statesman, but to lose two in such quick succession will leave an enormous hole in public life that will take a long time to fill. So many years of experience, of friendship and camaraderie, gone one week after the other.
Earlier this year, we joined the Schipp family in grieving the loss of Joe’s beloved wife Rhonda, who had stood by his side for more than 60 years. They had been a formidable pair, fighting for what they believed in and working for the greater good.
And while this Christmas will be hard for the family, we can be thankful in some small way that Joe and Rhonda are together again.
Wagga will miss Joe Schipp, the school teacher turned businessman turned politician who ultimately became the servant of the public that all honourable people should strive to be.
Here’s to you, Joe.
