Dad passed away peacefully at Wantirna Health palliative care on the 9th of October 2020 after an 18 month battle with Bile-Duct Cancer, with his family by his side. 

It was with deep sadness that we couldn't share Dad's funeral with so many people we know would have wanted to be there. Dad really didn't want a fuss, he wanted something short and simple, and he was aware that there would be a lot of people who could not attend. It was because of this we chose not to stream his burial.

We will hold a memorial in 2021, where we can all be together to share our stories, memories and final goodbyes. Especially Dad's son and brother, who couldn't join us due to restrictions. 

Should you wish to visit, Dad's final resting place is at Lilydale Memorial Park, in the Yarra Gum Lawn 21/11. We are currently awaiting his plaque to be placed.

We would like to thank you all for not only the kind and loving messages, but for the friendship you have shared with Dad over the years. 

Below is what was read at his funeral, please feel free to add photos and post your memories of Dad through the comments link. 

Jenny, Brad, Renee and Cherie

MY BIG BROTHER  - Brian Ashworth

1943 Malcolm John Ashworth entered the world in Gladstone, and lucky for you 3 years later, your little brother arrived, who became the nuisance who tagged along, when you had older things to do.

1950 we unfortunately lost our Mother, and you took on the big brother role and stepped in when danger or trouble arose.

We had a carefree childhood, enjoying cricket, football with the neighbour kids, fishing for lobbies in the waterholes, building cubby houses in the surrounding bush. Watched over by our loving Aunt Ted who loved us as her own

We went to school at Gladstone Central School, you were strong, rough, and good at all sports, Rugby League, swimming, athletics. 1957 you won the Queensland State 100metres Athletic Title, the big brother love was truly tested when I dropped the Baton in the all age relay when we had a big lead. The topic was brought up regularly. Lucky for me , you passed scholarship and went to Boarding School next year.

You had some devilment in you and I remember the Christmas when you swapped the soft drink labels over the beer bottle labels, which were both large and brown. The men would go to the bath which was filled with ice and water, get a beer bottle, and out would come orange or Raspberry, the look on the men’s faces was hilarious.

With the death of Ted, you could not settle and when the opportunity to go south and play football in the 1960’s arose, you jumped at the chance

We lost contact, until I found you in the Tramways, you’d made your way to Melbourne where you met Your beautiful wife Jenny and the family you were missing and longed for.

You were a top brother, cranky at times, but loyal, and I have received so much love and support from you, Jenny, Brad, Renee, and Cherie, which I cherish.

You will have to cheer on the Storms next week from above, and having Queensland blood in you will cheer the Mighty Maroons to Victory.

I will miss your friday night calls in football season.

You have fought the bravest of battles, and I will miss you, till we meet again my dear Brother.

Dad – By Cherie Ashworth

It was in Melbourne where Dad begun working in the Tramways, which fast became a significant part of Dad’s life. It really was his second family. He was so proud of the work that he did there, and one of the cherished things he gave to me before he passed was a book of all his accomplishments and letters whilst on the job.

Dad worked for the Tramways for 48 years. I know he had so much respect for his co-workers, and many of them became his closest friends. I can honestly say that Dad’s work ethic was second to none. He taught us the value of hard work, how it can strengthen your character and gain respect from those around you. How hard work really does pay off.

That wasn’t to say Dad couldn’t have a good time at work. So many of the stories Dad told were of the fun he had with his colleague. We all know the story of the snake that was found on a tram, which Dad knew by sight was a harmless carpet python. Unfortunately, the local publican didn’t recognise it as ‘harmless’ when Dad decided to take it with him to the Pub and plop it on the bar.

Dad had been living in Melbourne for a number of years before he met Mum. Mum and Dad met at a dance after he had been set up on a date with mum’s cousin, Karen. Mum remembered him walking across the dance hall with half a box of beer on his shoulder and Karen looking less than impressed at the gruff man she’d been presented with. Dad was always a little rough around the edges, but it was part of his charisma. He always had a stubby in his hand, often matched with stubby shorts.

On the 1^st of December 1984 Mum and Dad were married and Dad, Mum, Renee and Brad became a family of four. Two years later I came along and the ashworth-smith family were complete. We all have so many fond memories of Dad when we were growing up. Buying our first cars (which I don’t think any of us were overly impressed with) and then him fixing them – god forbid you moved the torch to the wrong place while he was working on it.

My most treasured memories were on holidays to and from Queensland. Where Dad seemed to let go a lot more. He loved this country, he loved traveling and talking to locals and fishing. I remember so many holidays where he had caught crabs, which almost always ended in a pincer related incident. Going yabbying in the mud. Cooking his fresh catch, which he always dipped in flour prior to cooking, followed by wiping his hands on his shorts and then he would have flour hand prints on each butt-cheek.

On the day Dad passed Renee and I tried to think of our favourite memories of him. Renee recalled the infamous running race in Corowa. after Dad had bragged for so long about his running skills. Renee finally decided to take him up on a race, to which he dismally lost after tripping on a stick, or so he claimed. The stick was never recovered. Neither was Dad’s ability to brag about running.

Dad was incredibly proud of us all, and in his last weeks he talked a lot about being so proud of who we’d become as adults. How much we’d done for him and mum over the last year. He was also incredibly glad we’d chosen the partners we had to share our lives with and mentioned many times how lucky we were to have such fantastic spouses.

I know the proudest Dad has ever been is being a Poppy to all his grandchildren. There was never a light in Dad’s eyes like there was when he was around his grandkids. He loved watching them play and grow. He didn’t talk much about feelings, but I hope you all know how much he loved you.

I know we just all want to thank you, for being in our lives, for trying to protect us, for being our biggest fans, for doing everything you did to look after us. For being so brave and fighting so hard for us. We all wish we could have been together when you passed, but you would tell us to cop it sweet and that’s just the way things are.

I know that your spirit is Fishing somewhere, a rod in one hand and a beer in the other.

I don’t know how to sum up a life like Dad’s. It seems that I could write forever, there are a million stories, one-liners, memories and sentiments you want to say. I suppose we can find solace that this isn’t goodbye. We can still hold Dad in our hearts, and he gets to stay alive there, in our memories and our stories about him.