THOMAS Frederick Gill was a true gentleman with a passion for boats and a love for his family.
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The popular Ballarat boat builder, who once ferried passengers across Lake Wendouree on the iconic Golden City Paddle Steamer, died on July 14 in his sleep, aged 88.
Everyone who had a boat or used the lake knew Mr Gill, according to grandson Tony Whitcher.
“It was such a long family business,” Mr Whitcher said.
“He was very well known and liked in the boating community and in the community in general.
“He was a real gentleman in every sense of the word.”
Mr Gill’s grandfather, Thomas Edward Gill, built Gill’s Boatshed and the Lake View Hotel, formally known as Gill’s Lake View House.
He also built and ran the iconic Golden City Paddle Steamer, launching it on Lake Wendouree in 1885.
Mr Gill joined the family business after returning to Ballarat from the Navy, and his lifelong passion for boats never waned.
Born in Ballarat on June 22, 1925, Mr Gill grew up on Mill Street, right next door to the Lake View Hotel.
He later joined the Navy and served at Finch Haven in New Guinea, before returning to Ballarat to work in Gill’s Boatshed alongside his father.
When his father died, Mr Gill took over the business and it became Tom Gill Marine once again.
He built motorboats, canoes, kayaks and yachts, but Mr Gill also hired out boats and had the Golden City Paddle Steamer for a time, operating a ferry service from View Point to the gardens.
Mr Gill married Jean Tucker in 1958 and they shared 51 years together, with Mr Gill’s two stepdaughters, Ellen and Francis.
“He was very quiet, very polite and he did everything for his kids,” Mr Whitcher said.
Mr Gill spent his retirement enjoying his garden and making things in the shed behind his house.
rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au