Tremendous outpouring of grief for Trevor Cox whose "job" it was to roam our streets

There has been an unprecedented outpouring of grief from the Maitland community this week following his shock death at Maitland’s Coachstop Caravan Park.

Expressions of sympathy came from the young and not so young, professionals and the unemployed, first responders and a former prison guard, their words testimony to a man who touched many lives.

Coxy, 60, was found dead on Thursday morning. He had been unwell for sometime. His sister, Louise Parker, said the family who all live locally, including his elderly parents, are devastated. “I saw him regularly and we were always trying to get him off the streets. I think half of Maitland tried to get him off the streets but that was the life he chose to lead. He said it was his job,” Mrs Parker said.

In fact Coxy would sometimes go to Mrs Parker’s home for a meal, a shower and a sleep but only on the condition he was back in town by 7am so he could do his job. Mrs Parker said her brother lived on the streets for about 40 years. “We would arrange accommodation for him but he refused to go,” she said. “As a brother he was caring, always looking out for us. He was a good man.”

With his trademark thongs and a Charles Manson-like tattoo on his forehead, Coxy always had a toothless smile and a g’day.

There has been many an urban myth told about him but we won’t go into those. However, we will tell you what we do know. Coxy was the kid at Maitland Boys’ High School with snowy hair and rosy cheeks who always found himself in trouble.

If there was an award for going to the principal’s office and getting the cuts (six strikes of the cane), Coxy would have won the gold medal. Mrs Parker agrees. “He was no angel, a mischief maker,” she said. He even had a stint in the local lock up for a very serious crime, but was a popular bloke and those who knew him relished the chance to stop and have a chat.

Hundreds of people have taken to Facebook, posting photographs and condolences. Some referred to him as “Maitland’s heart and soul”. One woman recalled her mum making him corned beef and pickle sandwiches each week. “I continued my mum’s tradition long after she passed and Trev continued to love his sandwiches,” the woman said.

The Cox family thanks the community for its sympathy and for looking after “Coxy”. Funeral arrangements will be finalised next week.