JENKINS, Andrew “A J” Charles

Dad,

You were never one to speak about your feelings or say, “I love you.” But we knew.

We knew in the actions.
We knew in the gestures.

Whether it was picking up the phone when we called — no matter the time, or whether you were working or playing golf — you always picked up.

You always showed up.

You showed up.

You were the life of the party, usually with a sauce bottle in your hand.

You’d give the shirt off your back if you thought it would help someone.

That was you.

I’ll miss you.

I’ll miss your voice.

I’ll miss you popping in for a cuppa, and then me popping in for one back.

I’ll miss watching you with Harvey, and seeing how soft you were with him.

And he’ll miss you too.

He loves his Poppy.

I’ll remember you when I look at Matt and watch his mannerisms — the little things he does that remind me so much of you.

I’ll remember you when I see the little freckles sprinkled across Harvey’s face, and I’ll always tell him they came from you.

I know you were proud of us all.

And I’ll live my life proud to stand in your legacy.

I don’t know if I’ll ever live up to the man you were, but I’ll always strive to make you proud.

My heart is so sad, and it’s devastating to have lost you so soon.

I needed more time.

More time to spend with you in the boat.

More time for you to teach me things.

More time for you to teach Harvey things.

You needed more time too.

More time to watch us all grow older.

More time to watch Harvey grow up.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you in such a devastating way.

I have no words to describe how heartbroken we all are.

But I hope, wherever you are, you know how loved you were.

And I hope you know how much you meant to every person whose life you touched.

I’ll be seeing you.

And when I do, make sure you’ve saved me a seat wherever you are.

I love you, Dad.

And I always will.

Dropping a line in will never be the same again Andy. Making time for everything and caring for everyone, are just a few of your amazing talents. Deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

We will miss you always uncle AJ and ill always cherish the memories I have of us camping, riding dirtbikes and our big trip up to Cape York sharing driving duties and watching you try to catch a fish chest deep in croc infested waters, you always knew how to get a laugh out of us and always dropped everything the second someone needed a hand

Rest easy, AJ — “Jerka”.

We shared plenty of good times over the years — fishing, camping, dirt bikes and plenty of laughs along the way. If something was broken, you could pretty much guarantee AJ would be there trying to fix it.

You loved your golf, your fishing and being outdoors, so I reckon you’ve got the perfect spot now. Hopefully there’s no wind up there, plenty of fish biting, and every day can be a golf day or a fishing day.

And knowing you, that sauce bottle of yours is probably still going — although I reckon you’ve finally found a place where it’ll never run empty. 🥃

You were a good mate, AJ, and you’ll be bloody missed. Thanks for all the good times, the laughs and the memories.

Rest easy, Jerka. No wind, plenty of fish, straight drives and an endless sauce bottle. Until we meet again, mate.

Cousin Andy. Well what can I say, we didn’t see each other all that often, but you were always the same up for laugh and chat. You will be missed because those family functions were always better when you were there..Hopefully you have the best fishing spots sorted and we can chat about the one that got away. Hope to see you again one cousin. From Shane Joanne and Saxon Hume

Andrew, we shared 25 years of our lives together, i was 19 and you were 20. We grew up together, learning about life. We had our ups and downs, our good times and bad. We brought into the world the most amazing and beautiful 3 children, Lisa Amy and Matthew. We have watched them grow and develop into the most successful and amazing adults that we could have hoped for. Our awesome and beautiful grandson Harvey will miss you terribly and will never understand what happened to his poppy. My thoughts are with your mum and dad, Barb and Brian who have lost a son far too soon. There are many fish left in the sea for you to catch, gone far too soon, RIP my friend AJ

Dear Dad,
I cannot believe that you’re no longer here with us. It still doesn’t really feel real.

This wasn’t meant to happen – it wasn’t your time. I am not prepared for this goodbye.

I know that, from the outside, other people may have struggled to understand our relationship. That’s okay. Our relationship worked for us, and we did our best ❤️‍🩹

I’m sorry that I was never the daughter that wanted to go out on the boat fishing, camping or golfing. That was just never really me. But now, I’m finding myself wishing I had taken more of those opportunities and had more of that time with you.

Thank you for always helping me whenever I needed it, or whenever I asked for it. No matter what was going on, you always seemed to find a way to make something work. Sometimes I’m not even sure how you made it work, but somehow you always did. You could be so creative when it came to fixing something, building something, or figuring out a solution — usually with whatever you had lying around. And if something went wrong? Well… she’ll be right.

I think that’s something I’ll always carry with me when I think of you. That ability to somehow make things work, to find a way through, and to believe that even when things weren’t perfect, she’ll be right.
I’m not sure how we move forward from here, but I know that I will carry you with me for the rest of my life. In my memories, in the stories we tell, and in the parts of me that you helped shape (eBay purchase addictions).

I will miss you in ways I probably don’t even understand yet. I will miss your voice, your laugh, the little things you did, and all the moments that I once took for granted but would now give anything to have back.

I don’t know where you are now, or what comes next. But wherever you are, Dad, I just hope you’re having bcfing fun 🎣

Love from Lisa

AJ
I can’t describe how devastating the news of your passing has left us ,its like ocean waves, you think there’s no more sadness then it hits you, you were my husband Brian’s brother and best mate , an uncle and friend to my boys and over the years you and l formed a relationship based on enjoying each other’s company and the odd argument around a fire, l did that because l realised how much you liked it!
My enduring memories are your generosity with your time, skills and desire to simply fix what was wrong ,so people could be happy, you always just showed up , there is a huge gap in our lives, we miss you. We hope you knew how treasured you were to us all.
I hope the fishing is good up there AJ,
The family is sticking together and we will make sure your amazing family is supported, the way you always have,
Your sister in-law
Michelle Jenkins