LAURIE Mansour and his bride Merle Thuell were married in St Joseph’s Catholic Church 65 years ago and this week a memorial service was held to remember and honour Laurie - one of Gunnedah’s most respected citizens.
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The couple had been living at Lake Macquarie closer to family when Laurie’s journey ended on May 6 at the age of 93 - but he had always wanted to come home to say “thanks” to a loving community who had helped him in so many ways.
Laurie’s daughter Helen said her father was a true gentleman whose love of life touched many people.
“Our Dad was an incredibly loving man,” Helen said.
“He was always happy and excited to see you and spread goodwill. His faith was strong, his heart was always open through tough times for family and friends. He was always there for each one of us. Simple things in life gave him pleasure. Dad loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his family and friends.”
Lawrence Charles Mansour was born in Maitland, on April 30, 1925, the second child of eight to Mary and Charles Mansour. Laurie’s mother was born in Brisbane to a migrant Lebanese family and his father arrived from Lebanon when he was eight-years-old. Charles Mansour was a labourer-fettler on the railways and the family ended up in Gunnedah where Laurie grew up with his older brother Tony, and younger siblings Phillip, Vincent, Peter, Bernice, Yvonne and Danny. Laurie was a proud past-pupil of St Xavier’s Primary School and St Mary’s College and was the inaugural president of St Mary’s Old Boys Association
At the age of 18, Laurie joined the Royal Australian Air Force and trained as a mechanic in Ultimo, Sydney. His first posting was at Jervis Bay, followed by a transfer to 84 Squadron in Townsville. This squadron had been fighting in the islands using Kitty Hawks and returned to Townsville to be re-equipped with Mustang Fighter Planes. Laurie was discharged from the Air Force on May 15, 1946. He returned home to Gunnedah where he was employed as a mechanic at Mirow & Sons (Ford Dealers).
In late 1949, Mansour Bros purchased the property belonging to Westerweller’s next to the Imperial Hotel in Barber Street and constructed the building there. Laurie was around 24 years of age when he started this business. The company operated as a mechanical car service and sold Jaguar, Land Rover, Chrysler cars and trucks, Renault and Peugeot cars.
He also worked a second job during that time as a projectionist on Friday and Saturday nights at the open air Garden Theatre in Marquis Street and later The Civic.
In 1965 he branched out and purchased a business from Tom Delander at 17 Barber Street. He was appointed Datsun then Nissan dealer for the area. Four years later, along with a select number of other dealers, Laurie Mansour was awarded a trip to Japan to inspect the workings of the Nissan operation. In 1986 he was granted the dealership for Suzuki, which he held to the end of his career. Laurie Mansour also helped kick-start the apprenticeships of many budding young mechanics in Gunnedah.
Laurie and Merle Mansour married at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, on November 8, 1952. Their love affair began when Laurie was a patient in hospital and Merle, a double certificate nurse, had just arrived from Royal Newcastle Hospital to assist at the local Numalong Hospital.
Together they raised five children Helen, Maree, Gregory, Michael and Elizabeth who were all educated at St Xavier’s and St.Mary`s College.
Away from his business activities, Laurie served on the board of the Gunnedah Hospital, was vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, the local branch of the Motor Traders Association and the Police Boys Club. He was also a foundation member of the Knights of the Southern Cross, a national organisation of Catholic laymen who serve the wider community and support those in need. Laurie received a certificate of appreciation for 50 years service.
As chairman of the organising committee, he worked with Eddie Valks and Carl Stenholm to establish the first Ag-Quip Mardi Gras in Conadilly Street.
Laurie’s Catholic faith was an important part of his life. As a young child, he played in the foundations of the new presbytery under construction at St Joseph’s Church in 1937. He was also an altar server to Fr Keane and his mother, sister and brother sang in the choir. Laurie and Merle Mansour spent their leisure time playing tennis in the grounds of St Joseph’s Church with their children courtside in a playpen. In 1986 Laurie attended a Mass offered by Pope John 11 at Randwick Race Course during the Beatification of Mary MacKillop – a true highlight of his life.
Laurie took a keen interest in the local community and if something had to be said he was there knocking on doors expressing his opinion, especially with the local council. He was not always politically correct; he said it as it was.
Music was his passion - it was always loud - and he had a great sense of humour.
Helen Mansour said her Dad taught and encouraged all of them to be strong and guided them by personal example and good deeds, instilling a valuable work ethic and raising his family to be kind, faithful and respectful individuals – traits he demonstrated in a life well lived. He loved and missed his coffee catch-ups with all his mates in his garage at Barber Street.
The late Laurie Mansour is survived by his wife Merle and their family, along with three grandchildren Mathew, Isabella and Bianca. He is also survived by his siblings Bernice Hughes (Northbridge), Yvonne Logue (Sunshine Coast) and Peter Mansour (Eden) and their families.