Flanked by granddaughters Eva and Lola outside their home, a heartbroken Patti said Bert was at peace.“All he could talk about was things that he had in mind,’’ Patti said.“I’d be good at that, I wonder how I’d go at doing Eddie’s show if ever he wants to take a break. And I used to laugh, because I’d think you’re 83, you’ve got one leg, how would you go up and down the stairs?“But I love that attitude of his, he was never going to give up and that’s what we have to take with us, don’t we girls?“We have to just make sure that the love he gave us stays with us forever.”Patti said Eva, 12, and Lola, 9, and all of his six grandchildren were the loves of his life.“It’s hard. It’s hard for this age group. (Our daughter) Lauren and Eva were out to dinner last night, just having a quick little girls’ meal. And I rang and poor Eva had to come, she didn’t go in, we felt that was too much for her. “I can’t get that out of my mind, really, but I have to think that he’s at peace and he’s not in pain. Eva and Lola, both the loves of his life.”Patti said she received a call from Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday morning offering a state funeral which would be an honour for the TV legend.“I said yes to a state funeral because as I said, a little boy from North Fitzroy and having success in show business and having all these wonderful accolades go his way,’’ Patti said.“And then a state funeral — Bert would love it. His mum and his sister, they would be so thrilled — and I’m thrilled for him. It’ll be very nice and it’s a wonderful gesture because he’s very Melbourne, Bert. Even though he’s worked in all different states, Melbourne was his state and his love so that was a very nice thing.”
Source: Sun Herald
