Sydney printer dies suddenly at 43

Staff at Centrum Printing and around Sydney are mourning the loss of Michael Wagstaff, who died suddenly in his sleep on January 18 aged only 43.

The unexpected death of the popular estimator has shocked the western Sydney print firm and many others around the industry who knew the well-travelled printer.

Centrum managing director Percy Vij says the ‘outgoing and easy going’ Wagstaff will be dearly missed by Centrum staff, some of whom have known him for decades around the industry.

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Nicknamed Mick or Waggie, Wagstaff grew up in the Canterbury Bankstown area and played rugby league for the Bulldog juniors until he needed knee surgery.

He is said to be such a people person that years later Oxford Printing quotes estimator Bob Zoomer was spotted on cameras at a match at the Sydney Showground and recalls hearing Mick shout from two whole bays away ‘is that you, Bob?’

Vij says Wagstaff’s ability to connect with people led him to a variety of roles at prominent Sydney print companies including Fred Hoskings Envelopes, Websdales, Sydney Allen, Empire Printing, CPI (now BJ Ball) and, Fuji Xerox, before joining Centrum almost a year ago.

He was due to start a new job at Blue Star’s wide format division when he fell sick and then passed away in his sleep. He leaves behind his wife Christine.

Centrum staff will be given leave to attend Wagstaff’s funeral at St Patricks Church, Revesby tomorrow.

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