Rezki posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The below has been privided by Alf's bvloeed wife, Marjorie:Alf Ricketts grew up in the Sutherland Shire and then later at Newtown, attending Fort Street Boys High School in his senior years.His working career began at the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) at Mascot Airport, as a junior Telegraphist. He was in one of the last classes to learn Morse Code at the Marconi School of Wireless in the old AWA building in York Street Sydney, his teacher was the famous Mrs Mac .This training eventually saw him gain employment at OTC (Overseas Telecommunications Commission) the international government commission for overseas communications between Australia and the world. Commencing employment with them in December 1954 aged 19 he faithfully served OTC for 38 years until retirement in 1992 at the young age of 57.His career began in the Sydney Operating Room, better known as the SOR in Spring Street, Sydney. Alf’s first major challenge was being sent to Melbourne for the Olympic Games in 1956, he then realised the possibilities of being an active participant in the future of this industry, as an explosion of new methods of telecommunications were beginning to appear around the world.Possibly the most challenging projects were his involvement in the American space programmes and putting man into orbit. He then moved from technical to sales/marketing/training this new pathway led him into being involved in marketing and public relations throughout Austalia and the world.Alf went on to participate in the Brisbane Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Marjorie, Matt and Alison joined him there and after the Games drove from the top of Scotland to the bottom end of England having a wonderful family holiday together for eight weeks.Involvement in the introduction and consequential customer training of new products was a an important aspect of his part in the OTC network, working out of Martin Place, the Paddington Station and in his final years from his Broadway office all showing his immense knowledge and dedication which were greatly admired by his colleagues and customers .Seventeen years ago he had a triple by-pass and 3 replacement pace-makers over the years, his health gradually deteriorated over the past 12 months with other medical problems surfacing that caused his final admission to the Macquarie University Hospital, where after an emergency operation he had another major attack leading to his death.Marjorie Ricketts and family would like to thank all the Veterans and OTC friends who attended Alf's Church Service and the Northern Suburbs Crematorium on the 1st November 2011 celebrating his life. There are simply no words to express our heartfelt thanks for the sympathy and support you have extended to our family on the death of our bvloeed Alf. Please accept our sincere gratitude and love.
