Clive fulfils dying wish
CLIVE Cust’s dying wish was to renew his marriage vows – and that wish came true in the St Andrew’s Hospital chapel this week.
The Warwick man renewed his vows to wife Nikki in a touching ceremony facilitated by onsite chaplain Walter Jones.
Mr Cust, 71, has been married to wife Nikki for nearly 10 years, and was recently diagnosed with terminal prostate and pancreatic cancer.
The service was attended by the couple’s friends and family, with Mr Cust proudly wearing his Royal Australian Air Force dress coat, displaying the medals he earnt during his 23 years of service.
Mr Cust served in Malaysia for many years and was an aircraft fitter at Amberley RAAF bases among others throughout his long career in the Defence Force.
At the ceremony, Mr Cust also wore defence service medals belonging to his uncle who served in World War I and his father who served in World War II.
Mr Cust has been a patient at St Andrew’s for several weeks and has praised the hospital’s palliative care services and the high-quality care provided during his stay.
“The care at St Andrew’s has been excellent, and I would like servicemen and women to be aware that this high standard of care is available to them,” Mr Cust said.
St Andrew’s Hospital chief executive officer Ray Fairweather said he commended the veterans in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region for their service to the community.
“We are proud to partner with the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide care and support to the men and women who serviced our country, at their time of need,” Mr Fairweather said.