Susanna Freymark
Family, Friends & Footy was written on the front of the funeral service booklet for John Mayes.
Stories were told that spoke of a humble, generous man who was legend, not only on the footy field but in life.
More than 500 people stood in the rain for Johnny’s funeral at Evans Head Cemetery today, Monday, August 11. Another 150 were watching the livestream online.
Johnny died on July 30 within three months of his brain cancer diagnosis. He was 78.
The Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly was at the service to pay his respects.
John, Johnny or Mayesy as he was often called (unless it was Old Boy Tony Moses talking — he referred to Maysey as Monkey) was awarded a Life Membership to the Sydney Roosters in February this year.
It was clear from the speeches that Johnny was lot more than a great rugby league player in his time.
His grandchildren took turns to describe their grandad. Here’s what they said.
Grandad was always there with a joke or a story.
A true champion isn’t always the one who wins, you ran the race with heart, strength and love.
He was the kind of man who knew everyone’s name.
We are all better for having known you – your legacy lives on.
He always put other people first.
The life you led was extraordinary; you lived fully and loved deeply.
John’s brother Michael Mayes said John carried a responsibility no child should have to bear.
Their father died when John was 12 years old.
“Mum was a widow with three hungry mouths to feed and a mortgage to pay,” Michael said.
John was born in Bondi. After his father died, he left school at 14 to support the family. He worked at a bank.
“This would have shaped the man he became,” Michael said.
“Bruce (the other brother) and I had front show seats to John’s life – and what a show it was.”
Growing up in Bondi, John surfed and hung out at the milk bar.
He met Margaret at a party and in 1970 they married and soon had four children – Brad, Adam, Glen and Marnie.
John worked fulltime and played rugby league while raising four children.
In 1973, he was Player of the Year with the Manly Sea Eagles who won the final that year.
The footy world began to take notice of this newcomer.
In those days, if you were Man of the Match, you’d get a frozen chook. John’s family ate a lot of chicken back then.
John went to play for the Sydney Roosters.
40 years ago, in a big change for the family, Margaret and John moved to Evans Head and ran the newsagency for 20 years.
When they sold the business and John retired, he wasn’t idle.
He loved the beach and coffee and cake at the beach cafe.
He chatted to locals and strangers.
He was a surf club lifesaver too.
And he was low key about his past achievements. He had an OAM, Life Membership of the Roosters and Evans Head touch footy and he was selected to play in the World Cup for Australia.
John never needed the spotlight.
He loved to have a beer with his mates and watch footy and he loved the family dinners.
Every meal was the “best dinner” according to John.
Old Boys Tony Moses and Tom Coleman shared their antics with John.
“He was a legend of a bloke – not just on the sports field,” Tom said.
As John was laid to rest, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best played across the cemetery.
Here was a man who was the best and who made the most of every opportunity in his life.
Those who loved him, promised to continue his legacy.
John Mayes is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Brad, Adam, Glen and Marnie and their children Sophie, Mitchell, Halle, Mylo, Willow and Addison.
Below are more photos from the funeral service at Evans Head.
