By Rebecca Fraser
TOORADIN is mourning the loss of a town icon following the shock death of former City of Casey mayor and “man about town” Ron Mantel this week.
The popular community figure died suddenly on board his boat the Tidemaster on Western Port on Monday morning.
His death has sent shock waves through the coastal village. He was aged 52.
The newly constructed boardwalk along the Tooradin foreshore will now be named the ‘Ron Mantel Board Walk’ in honour of the former councillor’s tireless work and strong presence within the tight-knit coastal community. It is set to be opened in coming weeks.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler this week lamented the loss of the former City of Casey councillor and said Mr Mantel had cut a strong figure in Tooradin, and was always out on the foreshore, on his beloved boat or simply walking down the street.
At Tuesday night’s Casey Council meeting Cr Butler recalled with much fondness how Mr Mantel would drive through Tooradin during his mayoral year with his rusty six by four trailer attached to his pristine mayoral car.
“We had a great deal of respect for each other although we did not agree on a number of things,” Cr Butler said.
“He died doing what he loved and that is the greatest way you could expect anyone to go.
“The place just won’t be the same without Ron around,” Cr Butler said.
Councillor Wayne Smith also paid his respects and on behalf of the council sent his sympathies to Mr Mantel’s partner and three sons.
He moved that the council write a letter to Mr Mantel’s family to express its condolences and that flags be flown at half-mast on Monday 25 September – the day of Mr Mantel’s funeral, which will be held at the Tooradin Town Hall.
“Those who knew Ron knew what sort of guy he was,” Cr Smith said.
“He was a man who talked it straight and you generally knew where you stood with him.
“He called a spade a spade and there was no nonsense.
“A council officer said to me this week that he had never met anyone more proud to be a councillor then Ron. That is very true,” Cr Smith said.
Cr Smith said Mr Mantel had lived hard and played hard but always put the interests of the community first.
“We will all remember him for the yarns and jokes he told.
“The community is worse off as a result of his passing,” he said.
Mr Mantel’s input into the multimillion-dollar development of sports complex Casey Fields was also noted at Tuesday’s meeting.
Mayor Kevin Bradford, who had lunch with Mr Mantel last week, said it was very appropriate that the boardwalk be named in his honour.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said Mr Mantel’s death was a great shock.
“Many people will miss him because he was a top bloke who got important initiatives under way.
Cranbourne Turf Club chairman Robin Daley said Mr Mantel had a strong association with the club as chairman of the Cranbourne Racing Complex.
“Ron was instrumental in bringing a lot of good to his community and these are things that people now enjoy,” he said.
