Geraldton butcher Mick Davey cherished by family and friends in farewell after Christmas Day death

Tributes flowed on Friday to a lovable larrikin and a Geraldton institution as well-known identity and former butcher Mick Davey was fondly farewelled following a battle with a debilitating neurological disorder. Mr Davey, 72, lost his battle with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia on Christmas Day, leaving behind his childhood sweetheart, wife Cheryl, three daughters, Adele, Stacey and Emma, and seven grandchildren. The condition, which affects balance, gait, extremity and eye movements, caused Mr Davey to step down from the butchery business a few years ago after almost four decades in his shop — which has been in Geraldton in one form or another for the past 114 years. Even without his presence, the shop on Marine Terrace still bears his name, such is the strength of his reputation. The local character was diagnosed around Christmas 2018, and knew straight away there was no known cause or cure. At his funeral at Geraldton Cemetery on Friday, hundreds of people gathered as Mr Davey was remembered as a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and businessman. His passions outside of his family and his shop included football and quality time spent at Lucky Bay, Port Gregory with family and friends. Born in Pingelly, Mr Davey came to Geraldton in 1968 and was known as a realist with a love for camping, barbecues and Emu Export. He was also involved in the football community for many years. Mr Davey’s eldest granddaughter, Allison Morgan, spoke about the fun-loving memories camping with “Pop Mick”. “Joking around the campfire, sunset fishing off the beach, midnight drives with Landy, not knowing how long they would be or where they’d end up, and seeing how many people could fit into the dinghy before they sank,” she said. A mystery in the family would remain — “who stole Pop’s Emu Export from the esky? . . . I’m not sure we’ll ever solve that.” Mr Davey’s childhood friend, Murray Aldridge, spoke about growing up in Pingelly and the mischief the pair would get up to as kids. “An old bloke used to run the deli and sell us cigarettes illegally and we’d cycle off down the highway towards Brookton, get under the bridge, smoke these cigarettes and raid the orchard,” he said. “We used to buy these drinks in Pingelly, called Splashe Cola, made by a factory in Narrogin.” Mr Davey’s friend, Ron Bentley, who he had met through football, said he excelled at Railways as a player, team manager, committee member, life member and friend. “I remember every year we would go to Melbourne for the Queen’s Birthday in the middle of winter and I would always share a room with Mick. I was talking to (wife) Cheryl about Mick’s snoring and said ‘I don’t know how you sleep with him’.” “I never slept on the mattress. I slept under the mattress.” In death notices in The West Australian, Cheryl Davey said “l’ll miss you love, have an export waiting for me”, while his daughters paid tribute to a wonderful father and grandfather who created many treasured memories. In an interview with the Geraldton Guardian in 2019, in which he opened up about his health battle, Mr Davey knew his time was limited. “(I’ve) never been the best talker, but now my speech and co-ordination, my balance, my ability to walk are going. It seems like countdown,” he said. Even though he saw the end coming, it was a life well spent, judging by the legacy and impact he left behind.