Master craftsman Bryan (Neville) Beechey (SPC 1962-66, PY1967) sadly passed away suddenly at home on 1 April, 2025.
Neville’s funeral was held at Quinn Funerals Chapel in Colac on 7 April.
Neville, as he was known, has been remembered as a loving brother and brother-in-law of Leonard, Ivan (SPC 1959-66) and Pamela, Peter (dec) and Sue and a favourite uncle.
He was remembered as “one of the nicest people I have ever met” in a tribute highlighting Neville’s work at the service station and his love of restoring cars and furniture.
Another tribute recalled Neville happily sharing his love of fine furniture and how his “Beechey Mix” was used to restore all the pews at the Colac Uniting Church during the major chapel renovations in 2014.
Neville was also remembered as a “gentle, sincere man who had a wonderful knowledge and love of furniture and antiques”.
Neville was an international member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen in Britain and a member of the Victorian Antique Dealers Guild Inc. He taught classes in French polishing for 35 years and held numerous workshops throughout Victoria and New Zealand.
He authored the book French Polishing in 2006 and was respected for his use of traditional and modern methods and materials when re-finishing.
Neville was a boarder at SPC from Colac, along with his brother Ivan. He loved his time with the school band during his time at St Patrick’s College and was a member of the winning General Secombe Trophy in 1965.
He also became a corporal in the cadets in 1966 and was a member of the Treacy premiers in the Shed footy competition in 1962.
He completed Form 1 through to Form 5.
