John Stanley OGGE
14 July 1962 ~ 9 October 2021
Loved son of Jenny and Bryan (both dec.).
Loved husband of Maria.
Loved father to Jack and Bronte and brother of Andrew and Chris.
Loved nephew, cousin, and friend to many.
A man of great integrity, intelligence, and wit.
We will forever cherish our memories of John.
A Requiem Mass will take place at St. Roch’s Catholic Church
200 Burke Road, Glen Iris
on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 commencing at 11am.
Rosary and viewing will be held at 9:45am prior to the mass.
Committal prayers at the Wilson Chapel - Springvale Botanical Cemetery
immediately following the funeral liturgy.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate John’s life by joining the online service.
Please click on the link below.
https://www.belindajanevideo.com/client-video/john-ogge/
In lieu of flowers and in John’s memory, please feel free to donate to:
The Fred Hollows Foundation
https://www.hollows.org/au/donate
Glen Iris Cricket Club
BSB 633-000 Account 137867008
21 Tributes
Sonia Gulec
My darling Zed,
We met when we were 14 years old. We had so much fun sneaking out at night with Alby and running the streets of Malvern and Hawthorn. We did it so often too. They were tumultuous times, both in terms of our families and also just growing up in the 70s.
We breezed in and out of each others’ lives as we got caught up living life. You always felt like my brother. We had so much in common in so many ways, there was just a natural ease and sense of companionship. I thought we’d have time to kick back with Maria and Ismail and a good wine; and spend time together that we don’t get when we are young and flat out with families and careers. I cannot believe you are gone. I had so much more to say to you, so many more chats and conversations and laughs. I loved your intelligence and wit, and smile. I love the quizzical slightly cynical but good humoured smile you gave. You started to call me, ‘Old girl’, well that’s a laugh because you were three months older than me.
Thank you for being my friend, thank you for your gentle grace. Your face, your intelligent eyes are etched into my mind’s eye forever.
John Ogge, my Zed, my old friend I will never forget you and will always love you.
Bronte and Jack – if ever you want the dirt on the midnight rendezvous in the 70s, I am always here for you. 0488 788 841
Maria, we will see you at the farm as we planned. Inshallah.
Sonia Gulec nee Macpherson Smith
Paul Leary
Very sad to hear this news. John was terrific company, always had a great anecdote or a memory from the past that made you laugh. A lovely guy. Appreciated very much that John stayed in touch with me as we both got busy with life. Condolences to family and friends. I’ll have a beer at “the vale” in memory of some good times with John.
Victoria Crawford
Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.
Denise and Coll Spark
We thoroughly embraced our friendship with John- it started in person and continued electronically.
His sardonic wit, acute observations and loving spirit we cherished and respected.
Vale, dear John.
Sam Robertson
Just simply a great bloke. A fellow saints supporter and cricket tragic. Enjoyed our chats and laughs about both these subjects. He loved his kids and I’m sure he’s so proud of them. Bloody devastated we can’t enjoy more time with John listening to his unreal wit and he’s contributions to the Coodabeens. Miss you mate I’ll make sure the kids have a spot at Torquay and we will celebrate the Saints flag with them sooner rather than later.
Hayley Crawford
I remember John as a kind, grounded, wise and helpful uncle – who will be missed dearly by us all. My thoughts are with Maria, Jack, Bronte and the entire Ogge family. I hope mum and John are having a drink, long chat and serious laugh somewhere together now.
Phil O'Donnell
To Felicity and John’s family,
Very happy memories of a delightful person – charming, witty and kind.
His was indeed a good life.
Love to all,
Phil and Liz O’Donnell
Dianne Crawford
A gentleman and a gentle wit with a rye smile. I always suspected the rye smile was an internal satisfaction at a line well delivered or humour tickled.
He is much missed already.
Love to all his family.
Howard
I met Zed when he was 16 and I was 17. We met through my host brother Peter Ellis then, now Maynard. Afternoons, playing music and hanging out with Alby and Charlie…. Zed was such an easy bloke to be with as he was open, transparent, quietly confident, without the interest or need to put on airs.
I returned home to the US and was out of contact with my Australian friends and family for over 30 years. Upon my return to Australia years later… there was Zed a grown man and still the same open, engaged, present person ready to reacquaint, take a few minutes to catch up, and then on to what’s going on right now? What are we experiencing together right now? So present, real, unassuming and considerate a man, friend and outstanding example of what a human can be. John, I will truly miss the future couldabeens that I assumed we would share in the years to come.
Grant Andrea
John,
Our friendship was borne out of the modern age. We never actually met face to face although that was always on our ‘to do’ list.
You came into my life through a mutual friend who also retired from the field of play way too young. From that acquaintance we became friends/combatants on a myriad of Facebook groups revolving around two of our passions, football and cricket. I always enjoyed reading about your take on the current state of play in Australian cricket and your enthusiasm and love for St Kilda. Your quick witted contributions and retorts to my misguided and largely exasperated beliefs of my Essendon football club always put a smile on my face. You were always able to see the funny side of a Saints loss from ten goals up deep in the third stanza. I guess that comes from years of exposure to that level of mediocrity. I shouldn’t be using this as a vessel for backhanded barbs at your beloved Saints, you are in esteemed company now with plenty of heavenly support that could certainly play havoc on results moving forward.
You will be sadly missed mate. I’m sorry we were never able to meet face to face. I’m sure we would have gotten on like a dwarf on fire at a St Kilda Mad Monday. Having a few beers chewing the fat and putting the world right.
Rest easy mate.
greg champion
To you John. Yes, we met due to the humorous parody ideas you would send to the Coodabeens. And, as we began to meet more often personally, I saw what set you apart as a person. One could say the term ‘still waters run deep’ was created for you. All would know that you had a quiet way of expressing yourself. You never said anything without appearing to have considered it carefully. When you spoke, people listened. You tended to speak one precise sentence at a time – and never wasted words. And so, you exuded a little wisdom. You also had a kind of pedantic dislike of poor grammar, and wanky language. Then there was your worship of The Rolling Stones. But everything – expressed in a calm, relaxed manner. That kind of person, is so treasurable. Here is to the quiet ones. You wrote the book on that.
Noel Dennison
As one of John’s fellow football ditty writers, I was fortunate to see a little of what John could do when he took his mind out to play. He saw what we missed and effortlessly connected it to some ironic, silly, witty, twisted piece of humour that could only have come from the genius of John. Through this odd conduit I was witness to John’s intelligence and on meeting him in person was immediately struck by his quiet nature, no need to show he was the smartest bloke in the room he let others shine around him. I would love to have spent more time in his company.
Derrick Toh
I was very blessed to know John in a professional capacity. He was always calm, unassuming and always conveyed comfort and assurance. His humour and demeanour, dry and witty, was a reflection of his immense intelligence and gentleman values only barely concealing a mischievous streak. With his sudden passing, initial shock and sadness has now given way to a celebration of how he has given his life in loving and cherishing those around him. It is clear he will be greatly missed.
Peter O’Rourke
Thanks John for your loyal friendship over 30 years where we first worked together, will miss your dry wit over a few beers at various pubs in city , loved talking footy, cricket and music. Condolences to Maria and the Ogge family Rest In Peace , Peter O,Rourke
Richard Evans
We only met twice in person, but I had the privilege of being part of an online circle of ditty writers with John for more than a decade. I came to have the highest regard for his wit, compassion and insight. I will miss you, JO, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to Maria and the whole family. So sorry for your loss.
Doug Long
I was also in John’s online circle of ditty writers. John was King of the one-liners, quick-witted with a charming personality. Great intellect; great man; gone too soon.
Francesca and Patrick Jee
My heart goes out to Maria who is a beautiful dedicated cantor at St Roch’s and a bride of only 2 years. John was always there supporting her in the background – so unassuming and yet a tower of strength. John – you will be much missed and my deepest commiserations to John’s children and family. God Bless you all.
Hazel Tiernan
Dear John,
How wonderful to have met you through beautiful Maria. We all are kindred spirits with our love of rock n roll – especially the Stones. We also shared a love for St Kilda. The world will be less bright without you in it. You will be dearly missed. Gone way to soon. May you rest in peace. Say hi to Charlie.
Patrick Silvey
Fantastic person John Ogge, always enjoyed lunch time beers and making me return to work 30 mins late due to you arriving 30 mins late and, without fail, The Age newspaper in hand….still makes me laugh. RIP John, taken far too soon
Peter Sim
It’s hard to comprehend and accept the sudden loss of such a person.
It was a privilege to be exposed to his quiet and deep intelligence, and enjoy his insightful wit, coupled with the benefit of his knowledge and love of music and sport, with never a wasted word.
I will never forget the gentleness of the compassion of John and Maria at the time of our own family’s sadness a couple of years ago.
Our world is a poorer place.
In our prayers.
Maria – your eulogy, so full of love and affection, was magnificent.
Luci Biernacki
A sad day to lose such a lovely man.
I have known you for almost 10 years and met your beautiful Maria at the same time through a good friend of yours,
I had the honor of standing as witness at your Civil wedding and I will treasure these memories .
I lift a glass to you and hope those left behind do the same to honor your successful life!! x
with love
Luci & Craig