Cullen Bullen Primary School plants native tree in memory of scripture teacher

Relieving principal Gillian Keough said Mr Caesar had touched the lives of everyone in the school.

"He gave his scripture lessons but he would also read to every child in the school, and we couldn't have been more appreciative of him," she said.

Mr Caesar's daughter Jamee Strickland gave a touching speech about her father's life.

"My Dad was the most amazing man I ever knew... he was always there when we needed him, even if he was only a voice on the end of the phone," she said.

"His jokes were legendary, and he always had a knack for being able to make you laugh."

John Caesar was born on June 19, 1940 to Nellie and Victor, and was an only child who grew up in Randwick Sydney. He attended Randwick Catholic School.

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"He often got into trouble for dipping the young girls' pigtails in the inkwells, something that he told you about and would give you his cheeky grin," Ms Strickland said.

Mr Caesar didn't enjoy school, dropping out at 15 to become an apprentice mechanic.

"It was during this time that he discovered a love of rally driving, a passion for racing cars that never left him," she said.

"Dad was always happy to be tinkering with a car or driving one, he was a lifelong Ford supporter."

Ms Strickland said that for 20 years in a row, Mr Caesar spent a week camping with his sons and later his grandsons at the Bathurst 1000.

"Dad was delighted to be reunited with one of his original race cars while exploring one of the showcases at the Bathurst 1000's 75th anniversary celebrations," she said.

Ms Strickland said that her father's true joy came later in life when he became a grandparent to 10 grandchildren.

"We are all so lucky that he was our parent or grandparent," Ms Strickland said.

"Dad married Barbara in 1968 and his greatest role in life began with the birth of daughter Michele, followed by son Mark in 1970."

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Mr Caesar's life changed again in 1976 when he met his second wife Wendy.

"Mum [Wendy] tells the story of how she was planning to go away the week of the June 11, 1977 and Dad asked her not to go and when Mum inquired as to why, his response was well I thought we could get married that weekend instead. Typical Dad, a very original marriage proposal," she said.

In 1983 John and Wendy moved from North Sydney to Katoomba, before moving to Blackheath.

"Around this time we began to attend Blackheath Baptist Church where Dad's passion for Jesus came alive. A journey began at that time that ultimately led to him becoming minister of Hosanna Christian Fellowship," she said.

In 2000 the Ceasar family moved to Cullen Bullen, where he was a prominent member of the community.

"Dad started to slow down, who am I kidding, he never slowed down, so he started teaching scripture at Cullen Bullen Public School," she said.

"I can remember even as an adult falling asleep at Mum and Dad's place listening to Dad read the bible."

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"My Daddy I will forever be your fairy, my memories of you will need to sustain us until we are reunited in heaven one day, I miss you."

Cullen Bullen students Ashlee Cooper and Skylar Abela both showed courage by standing in front of their peers and Mr Caesar's family and spoke about what he meant to them.

"He was my scripture teacher and he loved us and was kind and caring," Ashlee said.