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- Retired priest from Ballart killed in motorbike crash
By Dellaram Jamali, April 10, 2011
William Garry Bassett
WILLIAM Garry Bassett was a man of faith and family. Those closest to him said it was these two elements which formed the foundation of his 75 years. The Ballarat man died on Friday afternoon after his motorcycle and a car collided in East Gippsland about 2.30pm. At the weekend, his family gathered together, reminiscing about his life and acknowledging the impact he made on the community. "He was the most honest person you would ever meet," his daughter Sue Bassett said. "If anyone was in need of help, support or encouragement, he was always there. "He will be remembered for his honesty and his kindness." Mr. Bassett was an aeronautical engineer in the Royal Australian Navy for 26 years. During that time, he also served as a lay preacher until his first wife died from cancer in 1985.It was at this moment in his life that Mr. Bassett decided to leave the engineering profession and devote himself to the service of his faith. After studying for a Bachelor of Theology, Mr. Bassett was ordained as a deacon and later as a priest, working in the Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. After his retirement, he set up base in Darwin and Ballarat to be closer to family and continued his work with the church and as a hospital chaplain. "I think he always had a passion for God," his wife Hilary Bassett said. "It was always his thing that the gospel was all about love and love was the only important thing in the world. "He spent his life trying to achieve that. Any priest would tell you that he never retired. "As well as his passion for his work, Mr Bassett loved motorbike riding and sailing. His great sense of adventure saw him take on the challenge of hangliding and sky diving, albeit at an older age. Mr. Bassett was also an active member of the congregation at St Peter's Anglican Church in Ballarat."He was very moral, very trustworthy and very genuine," Mrs. Bassett said. "He was serious and very quiet, but now and again you would see his quirky sense of humour come about. "He will be greatly missed. "Garry Bassett is survived by his wife, children Sue, Nickie, Rob and Mark, sister Pam and six grandchildren.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1935 - 2011 (75 years)