By Peter Kazzi
Pastor Peter John was a loved and cherished life member of Maroota Rural Fire Brigade. He served in the RFS for 60 years. That alone is a massive achievement!
Pete joined Annangrove brigade in 1964 where he served till 1992. He then joined Maroota Brigade in 1992 till his passing.
Pete as well as being an active member of the brigade also became the brigade President in 1992 and 1993, he became our First Aid Officer in 2002 till 2013. He was voted in as Vice-President from 2009 till his passing. He was voted a Life member in 2013.
Pete was active in fundraising for our brigade, always ready and willing to surprise us in some way to help us raise money. We used to have midyear dinners for the brigade and community at South Maroota Hall. It was one of our fundraising events that we held annually.
One year Pete was doing an auction for us and the bidding was a bit slow, so he jumped up onto a table and said if we can raise this amount of money for the item being auctioned, he will pull his pants down. The money was raised in no time flat and Pete’s pants came down just as quick! I think we raised a bit extra when he pulled them back up again.
Pete not only was a fire fighter he was a mentor, leader, someone that our brigade looked up to. Pete not only helped the needy with goods but he also looked after the mental health of many of his flock. Pete’s passion for helping people made him a well known and loved member of the community.
His legend was known in the Hills, Hawkesbury, Hornsby and Central Coast areas surrounding the Hawkesbury River. He married people, christened children, buried people and most of all, helped people. If someone needed help, he would supply them with food, clothes, toys, washing machines, dryers, fridges and if he didn’t have what they needed, he would do his best to get it for them.
He raised money to support what people had already donated to him by doing the Carols in the Park at Wisemans Ferry and for a couple of years after the floods, at Maroota School. With the donations and the money received from the carols, he would put together what Pete and Jessie would call their “Love Hampers”. The Love Hampers were distributed by Pete and Jesse to the needy families of the four main districts that Pete and Jesse supported. The hampers ensured that these families had a wonderful Christmas.
This is the Peter Goldstien we all know and love. This is the man everybody knew. Pastor Peter Goldstien is one of a kind and I doubt we’ll see anyone like him in the near future. If we do, they will have very big boots to fill!
Peter you will never be forgotten… how can you forget someone that has given all of us so much to remember.
Pete loved and adored Jesse, his kids and grandkids but there was only one person that Pete loved as much as his family, and he is with Him now.
