EDWIN Maurice Pilatti has been described as a lovely man who was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends or for community projects.
Speakers at his funeral said he never spoke ill of anyone, was a great role model, and set the bar high for his sons and grandsons to follow.
He loved to be with his family in the bush or on the farm, and loved country music.
He was the third son of Jack and Alice Pilatti, born on March 20, 1941.
Edwin grew up with his four brothers on land at Buckingham, where his family was engaged in farming and logging activities.
With his two older brothers, Ernie and Ray, away in the air force, Edwin was often called on by his younger brothers, twins Barry and Alan, to play football, hockey and cricket in one of the paddocks.
Edwin entered an apprenticeship with Geldert & Sons and became a qualified mechanic.
Then with younger brother Alan he entered into a partnership in one of Collie’s two newsagencies, an experience Alan said was valuable.
Edwin worked with an excavator for the Water Corporation, and started a business purchasing buses, running a service to Australind schools and to the West Collie mine.
During one of his visits to town, he met Patricia Henderson, who was to become his wife.
Edwin and Patricia married in 1963, and set up home at Buckingham. The 1964 floods forced them to move, and they made a new home on the site of the old Pike slaughter yards in Swanston Street.
By this time, Ray had returned home and was operating the mill at Mornington, so he took Edwin under his wing. When the partnership of J. Pilatti & Sons wound up, Edwin joined his brother Alan logging in the bush at Buckingham.
Patricia, or Trish as she was generally known, was a lifelong tennis enthusiast, and Edwin joined in too, and they both were made life members of the local club.
Their three sons, Gary, Bradley and John, recall a childhood of being around sport with their parents, when they weren’t at the farm or in the bush.
Edwin joined Rotary, volunteering for many projects, including building huts along the Bibbulmun Track.
In 2005, the couple retired and moved to Treendale. 
They also enjoyed caravanning and went on many trips with the Gypsy Rovers.
In 2013, Trish became ill and after a very short illness passed away. Edwin was devastated, however he took solace in his three sons, his daughters-in law and six grandchildren, all boys.
His standing in the community was reflected in the large crowd which attended his funeral.