Eudunda rallies to finish home renovations for family of Josh Fenton after tragic crash
A beloved dad was in the middle of rebuilding his young family’s home when he was killed in a tragic crash.
A beloved Eudunda dad was in the middle of rebuilding a home for his young family when a tragic crash stole him away, now a fundraiser hopes to finish the work he never got to complete.
Josh Fenton, 33, sadly died after his car rolled on the Thiele Highway on Sunday, just 4km from home, where his wife Tahnee and four-year-old son Rhen were waiting for him.
Now his grieving family has revealed the home he was lovingly rebuilding has been left in pieces including an unfinished kitchen, a bathroom mid-makeover, and a front deck only half done.
It comes as the Barossa community rallies behind Tahnee and Rhen, with a GoFundMe surging past $17,000 in its second day.
Loved ones hope some of that support will help finish the projects Josh never had the chance to complete.
“Joshua was a handyman, you know, a tradie,” his father Craig said.
“He had half a dozen projects happening at home, and none of them are complete. He had half of the kitchen apart. He was working on the bathroom. He hadn’t finished the laundry or the toilet yet, and he was doing the front deck.”
“They need to be completed to make quality of life for her and for Rhen, and the house needs to be made a bit safer now.”
Craig said that when the couple bought the house in Eudunda a few years ago, “it needed some love”, and Josh had been chipping away at upgrades whenever he could.
But with Josh working long hours in civil contracting and more recently FIFO rotations, progress was slow.
“Even when he was working with me, we were often six days a week,” Craig said. “And that seventh day, you want to spend with your family.”
Now the work he never got to finish looms large for his young widow.
Mr Fenton said he was grateful for the community’s support, noting there would now be many challenges ahead for Tahnee as she adjusts to life without Josh.
Josh’s younger brother Thomas shared a heartbreaking tribute, describing what a devoted dad and brother he had been.
“I loved growing up with you but our best years were being dads together,” he said.
“Having our boys at similar times was an experience I’ll hold dear to my heart and soul forever.
“You glowed with Rhen, and you spoiled Alby and Koa with your cheeky antics and awesome presents – you treated them as your own. Courtney and I couldn’t have been more grateful.
“We are all so blessed to have you in our lives. You made us all proud, mum and dad and Tahnee especially. Not a day will go by where we won’t speak about you and share stories.”
Josh’s death marks the 81st life lost on South Australia’s roads this year.
You can help the family’s GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/2bb98b9cb
