Aus MH17 victim in tragic homecoming
When the body of Gerry Menke, an Australian victim of downed flight MH17, arrives in the Netherlands it will be a tragic return to his place of birth.
Mr Menke was born in the town of Hilversum in 1944.
It is the same town, southeast of Amsterdam, where the bodies of MH17 victims are now being transported for formal identification at a military base.
Gerry migrated to Australia with this family as a 13-year-old and he took to the nation's seas "like a duck to water", according to a statement issued by the Menke family late on Friday.
He spent 35 years as an abalone diver and then established a pearl culturing business at Mallacoota, in coastal Victoria.
Gerry also found the love of his life - Mary Menke - another Australian victim of flight MH17.
"Though Mary and Gerry Menke's lives may have been tragically cut short in the MH17 disaster, they will be remembered by everyone who knew them for the vivacity and spirit with which they lived," according to the statement.
"They were inseparable partners in everything they did, loyal friends, deeply loving siblings and children, devoted parents to four children and doting grandparents to five grandsons.
"Their loss is felt as extensively as it is deeply."
The Menkes were described as active members of the Mallacoota community, participating in the soccer club, golf club, SES, Abalone Fisherman's Co-op, and pony club.
Mary was active in the local music scene including teaching piano and playing for the kindergarten kids.
"Always the centre of attention and the life of the party, you could hear her coming long before you could see her," according to the statement.
"Her `Ger`, on the other hand, could often be seen sitting quietly to the side with a contented grin on his face and laughter in his eyes."
Their fledgling family business, MAPA Pearls, had recently received a local business award.
The Menkes were also world travellers - and their adventures included exploring the African wilderness, diving with whale sharks off Ningaloo, and traversing the jungles of Borneo.
"In the weeks preceding their tragic accident, Mary and Gerry had been surrounded by friends and a large number of family to celebrate Gerry's 70th birthday in France," according to the statement.
"Those in attendance - spanning three generations and the majority having travelled from Australia - had never seen them happier. They were returning to Mallacoota when tragedy struck."
Mary and Gerry are survived by their children Sara, Brett, Anna, Paul and their extended families, who send their "deepest condolences" to all those affected by the MH17 tragedy.
