A big crowd farewelled one of West Gippsland's most decorated footballers Tom Cleary at his funeral at Bunyip last Friday.
The Bunyip basketball centre was packed for the service of the 68 year old who died from cancer on January 22.
Growing up initially at Garfield North and then Bunyip, Mr Cleary was a talented all-round sportsman - also playing cricket and, in latter years, lawn bowls - but was most noted as a footballer.
He was known not just for his outstanding ability but for the way he played the game and, especially, the wide group of friendships he made with his happy nature and broad smile.
His record in football during the 1970s and 1980s speaks for itself.
A high leaping ruckman, Mr Cleary won seven successive club best and fairest awards at three clubs; three at both Bunyip and Garfield in the West Gippsland Football League and one at Mulgrave in the Eastern League.
He twice won the WGFL's best and fairest Breheny Medal and was a regular representative of the league at inter-league level as well as a premiership player at Garfield.
Mr Cleary also contributed significantly off the field during and after his playing days as a committee person, junior coach and all-round volunteer.
One of eight children of Gay and Tom Cleary the competitive spirit was strong within the family and a couple of his brothers also had distinguished career in West Gippsland football.
He is survived by all but one of his seven siblings and his three sons.