Dedicated and hardworking community member Gerry Kroon has passed away.
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The owner of the Empire Cinema building complex and surrounding shops, including those occupied by Coffee Culture and Glam, died on February 27.
Geert "Gerry" Kroon was born on September 20, 1943 in Amersfoort, Holland, and moved to Australia in 1970 shortly after marrying his wife Miel.
They lived in Sydney for several years before moving to the Wollondilly where he managed a carpet business. The couple also built and managed Avon Caravan Village in Bargo.
They finally moved and settled in Bowral in 2003.
Gerry was a passionate family man and equally dedicated to the community and helping others.
He was described by his family as "a devoted husband, dad and grandfather, a property developer, a mechanical engineer and a blacksmith - he was a jack of all trades. He had absolutely no fear ... he was clumsy, accident prone and believed rules were meant to be broken ... nothing could stop him."
"An inspiration to his family, and we miss him so much," they added.
Gerry's caring nature shone through early when he lived in Nigeria for two year from 1962 doing development work teaching Nigerians how to weld and build things to set up communities. He had to flee when the Biafra war started.
However, it was his life in the Wingecarribee Shire that was most significant in recent years.
He was an active member of Bowral-Mittagong Rotary Club and a driving force behind many projects.
These included the Highlands Bazaar fundraiser to support ongoing rotary projects, and the Music and Memory initiative to help Harbison Care and Warrigal Bundanoon dementia residents unlock hidden memories with a selection of individualised music selections played through iPods and headphones donated by the rotary club.
He was also twice honoured with Rotary's highest accolade the Paul Harris Fellow.
Gerry and Miel were passionate about the restoration of the Empire Cinema property which they expanded in 2005 in conjunction with the Empire Cinema business owners. They more recently secured State Government Heritage Near Me funding and contributed additional funds to the installation of a new roof over the Empire Cinema building complex.
Another initiative close to Gerry's heart was the collection of artworks that are showcased alongside the Empire Cinema property in the Empire Cinema Walkway.
Gerry was integral in establishing the display which features creative works from several high schools in the Wingecarribee. The Empire Art Walk was launched in August 2015.
His passion for the creative arts was not surprising considering he was a proud supporter of both his artist wife, Miel and daughter Remke Veness-Kroon.
He was equally passionate about his support for his daughter Nicole Kamminga who is the owner of Glam located in the Empire Cinema building complex, and son Raymond who works in property maintenance at a school in Queensland.
The Empire Cinema directors Richard Ruhfus, Dave Graham, Gerard Aiken and all our team said they were "saddened at the passing of our friend and landlord Mr Gerry Kroon."
"Purchasing the Empire building with his wife Miel in 1999, and through to its expansion in 2005, Gerry's vision and 'can do' attitude was inspiring," they said.
"Gerry’s love and care for his family and all those around him shone through, his attention to detail and work ethic was admirable. He organised dozens of fundraising events raising tens of thousands of dollars for the local community, through rotary programs.
"We are extremely proud to have had Gerry in our lives, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Miel, Raymond, Nicole, Remke and their families."
Chris Petersen from Coffee Culture described Gerry as "a legend".
"He started as my landlord and he became a friend," he said.
"Gerry was the kind of guy that if he could do something for you he always would.
"He will be sadly missed."
Wingecarribee mayor Duncan Gair said he was saddened by the passing of Gerry.
"Gerry always had the best interest of the shire at heart and gave a tremendous amount of time to the community," he said.
"He took great pride in the Empire Cinema complex and walkway, in which he refurbished. To all that knew Gerry, he had a strong personality and was never one to not speak his mind.
"Amongst many of his community interests, Gerry was a long standing member of the Bowral-Mittagong Rotary Club, raising vital funds for projects for people in need. As recently as the end of January this year, Gerry came to the mayoral office, where we had a cordial discussion regarding shire matters and he spoke candidly of his illness.
"On behalf of my fellow councillors and council staff, I extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Gerry Kroon, whose contribution to the community will be remembered."
Gerry always said he had "his wife's full support and flexible attitude behind all he did."
He is survived by his loving wife, Miel, son Raymond, daughters Nicole and Remke and their families.
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