CYCLING personality, fundraiser and 2013 Redlands Senior Citizen of the Year John Smallwood has passed away.
Mayor Karen Williams paid tribute to the Wellington Point resident at a council meeting on Wednesday.
She said people would describe him as a gentleman, wonderful role model, compassionate citizen and a man who thought much more of others than he did himself.
“He was a man of many causes – all aimed at helping others,” Cr Williams said.
“He believed that while he had the capacity to make a difference he had a responsibility to help the less fortunate and disadvantaged.
“He did that in spades.”
Mr Smallwood raised money cycling around Vietnam for three months in 2009 and volunteered at a Vietnam hostel for people with severe disabilities.
Cr Williams said Mr Smallwood was so moved by that experience he cycled 7000 kilometres across the United States, towing a trailer with his belongings, to raise money for the hostel.
“Along the way he endured storms, rain, fog, pounding winds, freezing cold – and was even hit by a car on his second last day,” she said.
Mr Smallwood continued to raise money for the Vietnam hostel and more recently for cancer research after his granddaughter was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Last year he rode for the third time in the Great Cycle Challenge, encouraging friends to join him in the annual event.
Cr Williams said Mr Smallwood had bought a tandem bicycle to take people with vision impairment for rides.
He also volunteered at the Redlands Multi-Sport Club, where he was instrumental in project managing extensions, organising contractors and overseeing construction, and the Muddies Cricket Club.
Cr Williams said Mr Smallwood was humble and a little embarrassed at being presented with the Redlands Senior Citizen of the Year Award in 2013.
“That’s the type of person he was,” she said.
Cr Williams said Mr Smallwood was a prime mover with the city’s first criterium on Cleveland’s streets.
“He dreamed of Redlands Coast drawing cyclists from all over, for special races, for mountain biking and for leisure cycling,” she said.
“John Smallwood was not a man one easily said ‘no’ to.
“He was so enthusiastic about his projects and turning his dreams into reality that you could not help being drawn in.
“You just wanted to help.”
Cr Williams said Mr Smallwood had achieved so much for so many and would leave a wonderful legacy.
Mr Smallwood is survived by his wife Lee, four sons in England, a son and daughter in Australia and 11 grandchildren.
Mr Smallwood’s funeral service will be on Monday, February 11 at noon at Great Southern Memorial Park, Carbrook.
