WHEN the Mercury held its annual sport star awards last Friday night a familiar face was missing in the crowd.
The veteran sportsman and administrator Ted Tobin was unwell and unable to attend what was one of his favourite functions, and one which his late son, Glenn, had compered on several occasions.
Just a few days later, the man affectionately known as Tuck died in Wollongong Hospital after suffering a heart attack.
CLICK HERE to read tributes and to post your own It brought to an end the life of one of Wollongong's best-known and loved citizens.
Ted Tobin was a part of the fabric that is Wollongong - a former champion sportsman, businessman, civic leader, sporting administrator, gifted speaker and a man of integrity, compassion and humour.
His dedication and service to Wollongong was extraordinary.
It included stints on Wollongong City Council, the old Illawarra County Council, as chairman of the Illawarra Academy of Sport and a heavy involvement with Wollongong Surf Club, the Wollongong Whales, the Hawks and the Vikings Rugby Club.
As a speaker, MC and auctioneer, he had no peer, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes over the years.
Perhaps the headline on a Mercury Weekender feature last year best summed him up.
It simply said: "A big man with a big heart".
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