Respected builder and Maitland Mustangs basketball stalwart John “The Warrior” Proctor has died after a long battle with leukaemia. He was 73.
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Highly regarded and held in high esteem in the Hunter Valley’s building industry, Mr Proctor was an exemplary mentor to scores of carpenters across the region, putting them through apprenticeships and grooming each individual in their skills.
He was also a key stakeholder in the Maitland and wider Hunter basketball fraternity for 25 years.
Born in Mudgee in 1942, Mr Proctor moved to Maitland in the late 1940s.
He started his working life as an apprentice cabinet maker in 1958 and went on to complete his carpenter’s “Clerk of Works” certificate.
Mr Proctor started his own business in 1972 which his sons continue to run today after taking over from their father in 2007.
“Integrity was of the utmost importance to dad and the service he provided to his clients was sealed with his personal stamp of excellence,” said son Daniel.
His involvement with Maitland Basketball Association started when Mr Proctor’s two youngest sons started playing the sport socially at Maitland PCYC.
He served as a volunteer, team manager, board member, vice president, maintenance manager, mentor, project manager for construction of the new stadium (Maitland Federation Centre), operated the canteen and was the association’s bus driver known as The Warrior.
Daniel said his father would like to be remembered as a hard working family man of high integrity, a very proud man.
“He was an excellent role model, loyal and kind, a gentle giant, always available for advice,” Daniel said.
“He had a great sense of humour and always put his family first.”
Maitland Basketball Association vice chair Stacy Jacobs said Mr Proctor was the epitome of Mustang pride.
“He was so hands on even as chairman,” she said.
“I remember him cleaning the floors before we hosted the nationals.
“He was so instrumental in the establishment of the stadium and physically helped build it. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” Ms Jacobs said.
“He was a critical person in the creation of what we have today,” she said.
“His contribution to our club will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on within the Federation Centre.”
There will be a minute’s silence for Mr Proctor at the Mustangs men’s home game on Saturday night.
Mr Proctor is survived by his wife of 51 years Margaret, six children and 16 grandchildren.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 12.30pm at St Peter’s Anglican Church, East Maitland.
