Family of Brendan Tyrrell keeping his memory alive on his 30th birthday

It should have been Brendan Tyrrell’s 30th birthday celebration this week, instead family and friends are gathering for a memorial motorbike ride on the road where he lost his life.

Heartbroken parents Rob and Kelly Smith led a ride on Sunday in memory of their fallen son, Brendan Tyrrell, who died in a tragic motorcycle crash on Woolcock St in 2022. Picture: Evan Morgan

In the house of Brendan Tyrrell’s parents is a collection of his things on display, ranging from photos, a Christmas fishing shirt, his watch and a pair of his glasses that his daughter had accidentally broken a week before his death.

This cabinet of keepsakes tells the story of Brendan’s passions, and on what would have been the celebration of his 30th birthday, family and friends gathered to commemorate his life.

It has been nearly two years since Brendan died after his motorbike collided with a car on Woolcock St, Townsville in May 2022.

Brendan Tyrrell on his favourite bike which he sold.

Since then, Brendan’s mother and father, Rob and Kelly Smith, have devoted their time to keeping his memory alive in the minds of his three children, Harper, Payton and Xavier.

“My son and my wife had a discussion that if anything was to happen to him, he asked her to promise to look after his kids,” Mr Smith said.

Brendan Tyrrell and his wife Aliesha with their young children.

“She’s surviving by living up to that promise, so when something like this comes up, she’s just proud to do it for him, but it is also very difficult.”

“It’s certainly something that my wife will never get over, losing our son.”

“Her only ambition in life was to be a mum, that’s what she says, and she’s a fantastic mum and an even greater grandma.”

For Mr Smith, his son’s bright and caring personality is forever imprinted on not only his own life but also on the many people Brendan helped throughout his life.

“He met quite a few people and touched quite a few people, and people even approached me at his funeral and told me that our son had saved their life,” he said.

“He would just talk them through and get them to the other side of their darkness … He would talk to them all night and not get any sleep and just get up for work; it was a very special thing.”

Brendan Tyrrell and his wife Aliesha with their young children.

Brendan always tried to share his love for music and the outdoors with those around him as his father recalled the nights spent listening to him strum his guitar and days spent taking his children fishing.

“He very much wanted to raise his children with an outdoor perspective,” Mr Smith said.

“He bought a whole heap of camping gear … he bought Harper a fishing rod to take her fishing and camping gear, and it all arrived just after his passing.”

This weekend, family and close friends gathered to lead a convoy of motorbikes through the streets in memorial of Brendan.

“We are never going to stop loving him, and I’ll be honest, I wait for the day that he walks back in the door,” Mr Smith said.

Originally published as Family of Brendan Tyrrell keeping his memory alive on his 30th birthday