They say it takes a village to raise a child, but the family of Clement Strain now know it also takes a village to care for people into their twilight years.
The family relocated Mr Strain from Bondi to Yamba in northern New South Wales five years ago when it became apparent Alzheimer's disease was robbing the former solicitor of his ability to live independently.
"Clemmie" became well-known around the seaside village, with locals gently guiding him home when he became confused or disoriented during his daily walks.
Ally Strain said there was no way her grandfather could have maintained his quality of life living at home with family without the help of the community.
"Everyone knew Clemmie, everyone knew his circumstances and if they didn't, a local would quickly jump in and walk him home, it was amazing."
The community gathered this week for Mr Strain's wake at the Pacific Hotel, where he used to stop in for a beer most days.
Sharlene Locke said the pub's staff would miss him dearly.
Friend Sevtap Yuce first met Mr Strain in Bondi, but got to know him better in Yamba, where he would come into her cafe for a morning coffee and to do the crossword.
"He would tell you the most beautiful stories, he would make you melt, we all adored him," Ms Yuce said.
She said Mr Strain struggled to understand the COVID lockdowns and he lost the rhythm of his daily wanderings around town.
"He forgot where the cafe was and would be asking around on the street for Sevtap," she said.
"It was everyone, the bank, the supermarket, everyone had a connection to him."
Mr Strain's family was also proactive about seeking support for Mr Strain as his condition worsened by posting his photo on the local social media page asking people to look out for him.
"He is usually very friendly and may say he wants to go to Bondi (please never put him on the bus haha) or needs to find somewhere to get a shave. Please try and encourage him to walk home. If you can get him to the corner of Coldstream St (out the front of the cafe) he will be able to walk home alone," Ally Strain posted on Facebook last July.
Ms Strain said it was wonderful to see a community care for an older person.
"I don't think he would have had that same level of care of he lived in Bondi, for example," she said.
