AN iconic Border builder and former councillor will be remembered as a staunch advocate for the Albury-Wodonga region.
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Maurice Chick died peacefully at Mercy Place on July 9 at the age of 90.
He began a carpentry apprenticeship with his father, Alfred Chick, in 1941, and had a stint in the army between 1943 and 1946 before finishing his apprenticeship in 1949.
He became partner that same year and formed commercial construction company A B & M A Chick.
It was also the year his first child, Joyce, was born.
One of the projects that gave him great satisfaction was the Albury City administrative building, which opened in 1976.
He thought it was a building remarkable in its day for the shape and way it was built.
He was elected to Albury Council for a three-year term in 1968 but disagreed with then mayor Alderman Bunton, who was anti-development and wanted Albury to be a garden city.
He retired in 1991 after 50 years in the building trade, with contracts that added up to $240 million.
But his retirement was short-lived, just months after calling it quits St Matthew’s Church in Albury burnt down.
Mr Chick donated the spire and helped rebuild the church where he and his late wife Majorie were married in 1949.
Mr Chick’s parents were also married at the church in 1921.
His daughter, his son Alan and a grandchild were also married at St Matthew’s.
Alan said he worked with Mr Chick at the commercial construction company for 25 years.
“He will be remembered for his enthusiasm and confidence,” he said.
“He had an outgoing, friendly nature and a great sense of humour.”
Alan also helped his father rebuild the church and said it was something they had both enjoyed.
In newspaper articles over the years Mr Chick was described as a mover and shaker, an entrepreneur and a rough diamond.
But he said “I’m just a local builder and I’ve been very fortunate”.
Mr Chick’s long-time business associate and friend Arch McLeish once said about Mr Chick “his word was his bond his handshake was as good as any written contract”.
Mr Chick is survived by his son Alan, his 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
He will be farewelled at St Matthew’s Church in Albury at 2pm on Thursday.
