Generous and kind Tinaroo ‘bushy’ remembered after fatal crash

A core member of a regional rural fire brigade killed in a car crash has been remembered as a kind “bushy” that would not hesitate to give you the shirt off his back. READ THE TRIBUTES

A CORE member of the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade killed in a car crash on Sunday has been remembered as kind and quiet “bushy” that would not hesitate to give you the shirt off his back.

Sean McMahon, 53, was killed on Burton Rd, Tinaroo on Sunday morning when his car left the road and hit a tree.

Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade first officer Les Green said Mr McMahon was a quiet, unassuming, community-minded man who was always willing to roll up his sleeves for his mates.

“We started (the fire brigade) in 1998 and in 1999 we only had about six members and Sean came along and asked if he could join,” he said.

“He did about 12 years of active service and due to family commitments he went to work for a big farming company and (recently) could not do as much.”

The sheet metal worker by trade Mr McMahon came to the Atherton Tablelands from Western Australia in 1997.

For a time the Channel Rd East resident worked at the Atherton hardware store and left for a job at another hardware supplies shop when the business was sold to Bunnings.

He then took on a role with Costa farming.

“And in a short time he became supervisor,” Mr Green said.

“He was a real bushy, you knew when he was coming in his Cruiser because you would see the big Akubra.”

Though he kept to himself and lived a quiet life, Mr Green said his fire brigade colleague’s generosity could never be questioned.

“He was not one of those that went out and partied, a lot of the blokes would call into the pub on the way home but he was not one to run around,” he said.

“When we were building the fire station Sean helped us a lot because he worked in the hardware store and when we were laying the concrete slab he was there.

“He was one of the crucial people when we first started.

“He would give you the shirt off his back (and) he will be missed.”

Mr Green said a guard of honour in recognition Mr McMahon’s service to the rural firies was being organised.

Mr McMahon’s ex-wife Colleen McMahon said he was the most beautiful, true blue Aussie man.

Ms McMahon said they only separated because she had to go to Western Australia to care for her sick parents.

“We loved one another, we still do. We spoke Saturday night just before his death; we were still very close,” she said.

“He was a very special man, I have been so upset. We were very close, we never had an argument for 20 years. I loved him to bits.”

Ms McMahon said he did the best barbecue, loved pet wallabies and loved his property.

The late volunteer firefighter had no children and is survived by parents living in Cairns.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating Sunday’s incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

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Originally published as Generous and kind Tinaroo ‘bushy’ remembered after fatal crash