A Triumph Over Tragedy: The Story of Vic Furlan

A Triumph Over Tragedy: The Story of Vic Furlan

A Tale of Resilience

VICTORY: The Vic Furlan Story is a riveting biography of an 86-year-old man named Vic Furlan. Born to Italian immigrants, Vic Furlan encountered hardship from a young age when his father was taken away during World War II due to perceived national security risks. His diminutive stature earned him the nickname ‘Peewee’, which prompted him to become a jockey and learn boxing for self-defense.

Dealing with Personal Tragedy

The book’s launch was marked by the absence of Vic’s children, Mark and Vicki, whose tragic deaths form a significant part of the narrative. Mark, a Commonwealth games 10,000m runner and triathlete, was killed in a cycling accident in 2000. Thirteen years prior, Vicki had died in a car crash by drowning. Vic also lost his wife, Helen, six years ago. Despite these profound personal tragedies, Furlan remained resilient and did not let these events define him.

Turning Pain into Inspiration

Instead of succumbing to despair, these tragedies served as catalysts for his autobiography. In his book, Furlan shares his story to inspire others facing their own unique challenges. He strongly believes in the importance of living life to the fullest, regardless of the tragedies that may occur.

The Man Behind the Book

The biography was penned by Graeme Wilson, a long-time friend of Vic. Wilson’s career as a writer began in the late 1970s as a junior reporter. Now in semi-retirement, he divides his time between Tauranga and Brisbane. VICTORY is his first book, and he hopes there are more to come. In the book, Wilson covers Vic’s life journey filled with laughter, tears, tragedies, and wonderment. He also highlights Vic’s ‘no guts, no glory’ approach to life, his love for cycling and running, and his 58-year-long marriage to Helen.

Launch and Availability

VICTORY: The Vic Furlan Story was officially launched in Pāpāmoa and is available on Amazon as a paperback or an e-book. The launch was a tribute to Furlan’s ability to survive and thrive through tragedy and heartache, embodying courage and dignity in the face of life’s cruel twists and turns. His story serves as a reminder not to let adversity control or define one’s life. Instead, his message is to face challenges head-on, find the light at the end of the tunnel, and live life to the fullest.