Nephew Ned Staples (left) yesterday led a family celebration of his life and performed a spirit blessing.
THE family of a man who died after suffering a heart attack in Warrnambool’s CBD say their father lived for his seven daughters.
Jackie ‘Jack’ Harmer, 74, had a heart attack in the public toilets on the corner of Koroit and Liebig streets last Thursday.
On Friday night at 6.28pm Mr Harmer died. He was surrounded by his seven beloved daughters.
Yesterday, his family gathered at the toilet block to say goodbye.
His daughters Aroha Harmer, from Warrnambool, and Evelyn Harmer, from Ararat, thanked the tourist who first alerted police and the police officers who resuscitated their father.
“We were all together on Friday night when his life support was turned off,” Evelyn said.
“He stayed with us for 20 minutes.
“We all expected him to jump up and say hello because he was such a clown.”
The daughters described their father as a very proud man who moved to Australia in 1984 from New Zealand.
“He was well known and well respected,” Evelyn said.
“We feel he’s still there. This is just for some closure.
“He came here because he thought it was a better place to raise a family with better opportunities.
“He worked as a shearing contractor in Mortlake.
“He raised seven girls by himself.”
Evelyn said the family had been hurt by rumours circulating about his death but he always had a great love for Warrnambool.
“For me, out of respect, there are things people are saying which are not true,” she said.
“It was the sea and the people that he loved.
“If we couldn’t find him he’d be at Thunder Point.
“He was a beautiful father.”
Police and paramedics were called by a visitor to Mr Harmer on Thursday and police were first to arrive.
Mr Harmer was found without a pulse and not breathing but police were able to revive him and he was transferred to Warrnambool Base Hospital in a critical condition. At the time police were praised for their heroic actions.
A funeral service will be held for Mr Harmer at Proudfoots on the River today from 11am with a private cremation to follow.
His family said donations to the Asthma Foundation Victoria would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.