Queanbeyan Public School crossing guard dies aged 78

Sadly, Mr King, aged 78, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack at his home on the morning of Friday, June 10.

Students and parents of Queanbeyan Public School posted kind notes and lay colourful flowers at the site where Mr King was well-known for brightening everyone’s day.

“Dear Kevin, I miss you so much. I cried and cried when my mum told me the bad news,” reads one note.

“Was always such a joy to see your happy smiling face each morning. Thank you for looking after the kids at Queanbeyan Public,” reads another.

Kevin leaves behind his wife, Pat, a sister, two daughters, Tracey and Maree, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His daughter Tracey Whittaker,  along with her sister Maree Henjak and their mother Pat, and great granddaughter Rhiannon O’Brien, 9, visited the site of the floral tributes on Wednesday.

They were not surprised Kevin had become a local favourite.

“Even the mums up here [at Queanbeyan Public] say he's got to be the most gentle man they've ever met in their lives,” Ms Whittaker said.

“For someone that's only been up here for three years, it is amazing, it’s phenomenal. He's obviously left a mark, a big mark. But that's him,” she said.

Kevin King was born in Victoria in September 1937. He met Pat when they both worked for a printing company in Melbourne, and they married in 1976.

Prior to that, the family lived in Queanbeyan from 1970, and moved back to Melbourne in 1976.

Mr King retired from work at 65, and became a crossing guard, or lollipop man, to keep him busy.

The family moved back to Queanbeyan three years ago and Mr King took up his position as a crossing guard, working for the Roads and Maritime at Queanbeyan Public School.

He will be remembered for his bright smile, friendly words and for keeping many children and their parents safe while crossing the road. He will also be remembered as an avid bingo player.

Queanbeyan Public School student Jacob Pulciani, 11, said what he would miss most was Kevin’s happy smile.

“When I was having a not very good morning, he was just cheering me up and always asking how I was. He was just being really nice to me,” Jacob said.

His grandfather, John Tutalo, said he would miss Kevin terribly. With his voice full of emotion, he described him as a true gentleman.

“He would more or less look for you, shout g’day in anticipation,” Mr Tutalo said.

“He was just a really nice guy.”

A notice in the Queanbeyan Public School newsletter described Mr King as a "lovely man, who had time for everyone, and knew the names of many people using the crossing".

UPDATE: The funeral for Kevin King will be held on Friday, June 24 at 9am at Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell.