It was Friday, August 22, 1975, when a young Ray Hadley was clocking off as a trainee auctioneer when his life changed forever.

Ray recalls he was on his way to visit his father in Nelson’s Bay when he received a phone call from a police officer.

The officer asked, “if I was the son of Arthur Morris Hadley”.

“I said yes.

“He regretfully informed me my father was deceased.”

At just 46-years-old, Ray’s father collapsed from a massive heart attack and died within minutes.

This tragic moment shaped Ray’s life in more ways than one.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and how much he would have loved his grandchildren and now his great-grandchild,” says Ray.

Most importantly it’s made Ray appreciate the value of keeping on top of your health.  

“As a result of that family history I have regular heart health checks… and I do other checks as well.

“I do things that we all should do when we get to a certain age.”

Image: Morrie Hadley (right) in 1950, aged 22

Writing in The Daily Telegraph today, Ray is hoping to raise awareness about heart disease.

“For your family’s sake, please get to the doctor for a regular health check. 

“My dad’s been gone now since 1975 but I can assure you he’s never forgotten,” says an emotional Ray.

Click PLAY below to hear Ray open up about his father death

To learn more about heart disease go to the Heart Foundation’s website.

Feature image: This image has been digitally altered and was created as a present for Ray’s 60th birthday