Friends farewell Stuart Wagstaff
Friends and family gather for a showbiz gentleman, who kept them laughing unto the end.
- Published by David Knox
- on
Family, industry colleagues, friends, and public yesterday paid tribute to the late Stuart Wagstaff in a memorial at the Theatre Royal, Sydney.
Wagstaff died last month, aged 90 after a stellar career on stage and screen.
Marina Prior and David Campbell both sang while friend John Mangos hosted the event.
In attendance were friends Noeline Brown, Maria Venuti, Susie Elelman, Maggie Tabberer, Noeline Brown, Georgie Parker, John Frost and Diana ‘Bubbles’ Fisher.
The Sydney Morning Herald quotes a tribute from Maggie Tabberer:
“It says in the dictionary that the definition of a gentleman is a chivalrous, courteous and honorable man, well that was ‘Waggers’ through and through, but added to that was his generosity, his gentle charm and his kind and caring nature, and overiding all that, his wonderfully naughty sense of humour.” she said.
“He once told me he had a very unhappy childhood, he was never cuddled or kissed by either of his parents and his two sisters were equally indifferent, a sad little boy who despite all that hurt grew into a wonderfuly joyous man.”
Wagstaff had organised much of the memorial himself, with a posthumous message: “Just to let you know that I have ‘shuffled off this mortal coil’ and I’d like to thank everyone who has shared with me all the ups and downs of these fascinating 90 years.
“There won’t be a funeral as I have donated my tired old body to the anatomy department of the University of Sydney. (Hey! I finally got to Uni!!). Thanks and farewell.”
Farewell, indeed….
5 Responses
Nine News broke the media ban on mentioning the cause of death. Like many I thought it was simply old age but in Nine’s funeral story someone mentioned “this wretched disease”. I think we all know what that refers to.
It is so important that we celebrate our elders while they are with us, not just upon their death and services. I know the Logies is the subject of debate on Hall of Fame, but there are so many great old stars and performers that are never recognised until too late. There is clearly an audience for nostalgia; i wish more was done to honour our pioneers. Stuart was one such figure. We shan’t see the likes of him again.
What a great talent. Stuart was so dapper, a one of a kind. Loved his wit on Blankety Blanks. A friend went to the memorial service yesterday and said Noeline Brown, Maggie Tabberer and Craig Bennett did superb speeches. Poignant and very funny. Marina Prior sang, and John Mangos was the host. Wished I’d have been able to attend.
We were on a cruise with him once, a truly delightful, funny man.
Shame that is all there was…we out here would have loved to have been part of it…. 🙁