RIP Kerry Thew

Many phans may not know or heard of Kerry Thew, but to many others he was a treasure in the Australian comic and Phantom community. In recent years, he sold Phantom clothing at conventions under the name Limitless Visions which also included the red and purple Kasual Friday figurines.

Antonio Di Dio had a great relationship with him over many decades since Kerry was importing USA comics into Australia back in the late 1970's (almost 60 years ago). Kerry was also one of the first invitees to the popular LFMBEC dinners.

Antonio recently posted this letter to the LFMBEC members which we have permission to include here. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, family and loved ones who knew Kerry.

Dear LFMBEC Family,

You may have heard already but let me say with a sad heart that we have lost a dear member. Our friend Judy informed us last week that Kerry Thew, a major feature of the comic collecting field in Australia for 50 years, died peacefully in Queensland recently.

His memorial service will be held in Sydney on 9 May and I will be there representing the Lee Falk Memorial Bengali Explorers Club family.

Through his side business, Limitless Visions, Kerry introduced many of us in the 1970s and 1980s to a highly intelligent, warm and humorous approach to fandom. He did this alongside a highly successful career as a Commonwealth public servant. In later years he sold t-shirts as much as other collectables and continued to travel extensively.

About 35 years ago when I moved into a general practice in inner West Sydney, I used to look after his family, and saw yet another lovely side of him, a great and caring son.

Nothing, of course, will beat the joy of his ‘at-home’ shop when, on a Saturday afternoon, his lounge room became a comic shop. He, Terry, Peter, Gerry and others would sit and chat and any customer who left the Belvoir Street terrace without laughing for an hour was rare. I will never forget Iron Man on the front cover of a Tales of Suspense fighting Ultimo, and Kerry’s hilarious description thereof. More a book club than a store, Kerry saved hearts and lives on those Saturdays as much as I ever did.

When Richard and I started the LFMBEC in 1999, the first people he called were Bron and Daniel. The first I called were Kerry, Gerry and Jim. He was there from day one. One night, maybe Dinner 7 in about 2002, I was stuck at home with an ill child and Kerry stepped in as auctioneer with aplomb.

Kerry was part of the first generation of Australian comic retailers, and like almost all of them, his personality and kindness brought people to the industry more than anything else – he was from day one till the end, first and foremost, a fan.

Vale Kerry Thew, from your friends, with love and respect to Judy and everyone dear to you.