Goodbye to a fine man – Les “Vaggy” Vagg

We got news earlier this week that a friend of ours had died on Monday 23rd, they suspect a blood clot or aneurysm or something like that. No autopsy so there’s no way of really knowing anyway. I read on one website that he had an undiagnosed brain tumour – wow, his physician must have been Superman with his own x-ray vision. A brain tumour ‘undiagnosed’ and without an autopsy – it can only be x-ray vision!

It’s a sad week, with a really colourful character passing away. Les Vagg or “Vaggy” as he was known to his many friends was the heart and soul of the Dandenong Club when I knew him. Everyone knew him, even in a small way but he befriended newcomers and was always quick to get you a drink. His favourite tipple was a half Scotch and diet coke on ice (not a full glass) and it was quickly dubbed a “Vaggy”, a drink that I’m sure will remain at the Dandenong Club for a long time in memory of a fine man, a true gentleman and a wonderful and cheeky drinking buddy.

Les was 84 years old at the time of his passing, so young at heart and loved his music, I recall one Sunday at the jazz day down there, I had resolved that I wouldn’t have anything to drink that particular day. A friend and I arrived at the Club to listen to the jazz and Vaggy found us. “You’ve got to have at least one drink with me, what will you have?” We decided we’d change our rules to having just a couple of glasses of wine with him. Another friend turned up, he got suckered into having a drink with us. Nine hours and copious amounts of alcohol later, Les was still going and we ended up kicking on elsewhere, getting home at 4am. Not bad for a quiet Sunday afternoon listening to jazz.

Les was cheeky, if you’d give him enough time, he’d get you into all kinds of trouble – but I mean the good kind, and speaking of kind, he was such a kind soul too. The best way to sum him up is mischievous and that streak ran deep. He came to all of our private functions and was considered part of our extended family.

We all have to go one day, we all get older and it becomes inevitable – but when such a colourful character leaves us with no warning, it’s always so sad. He touched so many lives and many will miss this wonderful man but today’s post isn’t about anyone else missing him, on behalf of my sister and myself, I would like to say “we will miss you Les”.

Here are a couple of photos with him, me with Les approximately 14 years ago, my sister with him 13 years ago.

Les’ funeral will be held at 10am this (Friday) morning at Le Pine, Princes Highway, Dandenong and a wake held at the Dandenong Club at 11am which no doubt the drink of the hour will be a Vaggy! A shame we can’t be there but we will be there in spirit – not spirits i.e. Scotch ;)

Tags: Les Vagg, remembering