He drove cab TC3175 car 11 for 45 years, was a city councillor for 25 years including deputy mayor for six and was a Labor party stalwart who stood twice for state parliament – but most of all was a great family man.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That’s how the people of Orange are remembering Trevor Jaeger, who died at the Orange Health Service on Tuesday aged 86.
Mr Jaeger was also known as a fancy dresser, a man who pulled no punches with his comments, but who was quick to make up any disagreements.
His sons Perry, Grant and Jason recalled his life at the family home on Wednesday.
“He was a great family man and father, and great to mum,” said Perry.
“He loved to help people out.
“Dad would help anyone he could.”
They said Mr Jaeger and his wife, [their mum] Gloria, had been together for 64 years and had four children including their sister Janine.
They recalled how Labor leaders Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating had visited the family house to see their dad.
They said he kept the same cab number [TC3175 car 11] throughout his taxi driving career.
And then they fired up Mr Jaeger’s “pride and joy,” a 1952 Pontiac he bought in Medlow Bath in 1956.
“Dad fully restored it when he retired,” said Perry.
The family took the green machine to the Gnoo Blas Classic last Saturday as a tribute to their dad when they knew his days were nearly done.
His father Jack Jaeger was mayor of Orange in 1945-46, 1946-47 when Orange became a city, and 1951-53.
Mr Jaeger was on council from 1974-99.
“One of the best things he did for Orange was on the traffic committee, he got roundabouts for Orange,” said Perry.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said Mr Jaeger was one of Orange’s longest serving councillors.
“He was a Glenroi boy who had a strong passion for our city,” he said.
“I also remember how he was such an immaculate dresser, of great style.
“He always had a well-pressed shirt and tie, a buttoned-blazer and never a hair out of place.”
Fellow Labor man and current councillor Glenn Taylor said Mr Jaeger was a realist about how tough it was to represent the party in Orange.
“He kept in touch with the people, his community, the people in the street,” he said.
“It’s a sad time for Orange.”
His funeral is at St Marys Catholic Church, Orange, 1.30pm Thursday.