The funeral for former Wollongong Citizen of the Year and Greenacres CEO Neil Preston OAM is this Friday.
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The much-loved disability champion, 70, died when his motorcycle left the road near Bungendore last Wednesday. He had been out riding with a friend and was heading home after lunch when it is thought a medical incident occurred.
Mr Preston’s son-in-law David Tolman said “he had such a soft heart and genuine love for people. “He was also tenacious and fairly single-minded in the way he went after things that he believed were right”.
Mr Preston is survived by his wife Carol Preston, children Adam Preston and Tammy Tolman and four grandchildren. And his funeral will be on Friday at 10am at NewDay Church, Figtree.
Illawarra Business Chamber president Janine Cullen said “he was truly a wonderful person, who lived and loved life every day. I truly can’t think of anyone I admire more for their generosity of spirit, sense of adventure, sincerity and warmth and great sense of humour”.
Greenacres chairman Richard Young said it was an impossible task to adequately express what Neil Preston has done for all people with a disability. “He had a strategic vision for Greenacres. He took it from a small organisation to the forefront of disability services not only in NSW but all over Australia”.
Friend Susan Burns worked with Neil Preston during his entire time at Greenacres and said “It is a dreaful loss for all of us. Everyone loved him. He made everyone feel important”.