Serge Dobson
(Born Queanbeyan, February 25, 1958. Died Moruya, March 14, 2019)
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After emigrating from Europe after World War II, Serge's parents, Nick Snr and Marta Dobson, settled in O'Connor, Canberra, where they raised five children, Jenny, Arvie, Helen, Serge and Nick.
Serge had a happy, carefree childhood. He recalls always being surrounded by family and friends and especially remembers with fondness his relationship with his mother in those formative years.
Serge attended school in Canberra. He went to high school at Lyneham High and although he was a good student academically his passion was sports. Realising he wasn't going to pursue an academic career, he left school in Year 11 and joined the Public Service.
Serge pursued his love of sport through rugby union and later rugby league. He was exceptionally strong and athletic so it was no surprise that he quickly rose through the ranks and became a first grade player for Western Districts Rugby Club, where he later enjoyed many years as a club member.
In the 70's Serge's parents bought one of the first residential blocks realised in Tomakin, and the draw of the coast and the opportunity to surf every day eventually drew Serge to move to the south coast in 1983.
In those days Serge's father owned a paint shop in Batemans Bay and Serge and his younger brother Nick decided they would become "painters". Before they had even started their first job however, Serge was offered a position as a store assistant in JB Young's, Moruya and that was the beginning of a career that spanned more than two decades in retail.
Over the years Serge rose to the role of manager and remained through the transitions as the store went from JB Young's to Allens and then later to Harris Scarfe. As the manager of one of the most popular stores in Moruya, Serge met many locals over the years and was a well known employer of many locals from the region.
For many years Serge played rugby league with the local Moruya Butchers (now Moruya Sharks) and at an after-match event he met and fell in love with his wife Margaret (nee Lynch). Serge and Margaret were married in Moruya on May 6, 1989. This was the beginning of a long, happy marriage with the highlight being the birth of their daughter Jessica, on December 9, 1990.
Serge was a caring, honest person who was loved and well regarded by many. He also had a funny, even quirky side and he loved to tell a good joke. Serge enjoyed the simple things in life and was very content living and working in Moruya. He said he never yearned for a different life, just more of the same.
Sadly, Serge became aware that he had a metastasized melanoma in early 2018. Throughout his final year he never lost his spark for life and remained unwavering strong and positive, encouraging everyone around him to do the same. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in the Moruya Hospital on March 14.