Family, friends farewell Cameron Duce at Gold Coast funeral

The family of alleged Gold Coast assault victim Cameron Duce has spoken at his funeral, his father revealing his touching moments with his son in hospital before he died.

Cameron Duce’s work boots sat atop his coffin during a funeral service on the Gold Coast today. Picture Glenn Hampson

The family of alleged Gold Coast assault victim Cameron Duce has spoken bravely at his funeral, with his tearful father telling how he held his son’s hand in hospital for the first time in years, marvelled at the man he’d become and said goodbye.

Cameron, 22, died in Gold Coast University Hospital last month, a week after he was allegedly brutally assaulted during a night out in Burleigh Heads.

An 18-year-old Gold Coast man has been charged with striking causing death over the tragedy.

Cameron’s family and friends packed the Allambe Memorial Park chapel at Nerang on Wednesday to bid farewell.

Fishing was one of his favourite pastimes and two rods rested against his casket, alongside his guitar and tradie boots.

The order of service for Cameron Duce funeral at Allambie Memorial Park. Picture Glenn Hampson

Some of his favourite tunes, including Wonderwall by Oasis, rang out as a soundtrack to touching video and photo montages.

Cameron was remembered as an intensely private but kind, caring and fun-loving young man who cherished his family and mates and made those around him smile.

His father, Chris, told the service that Cameron was named after his own brother, who died when he was just nine.

“I used to wonder how it was for my parents, losing a son … now I know,” he said, choking back tears.

“It’s the hardest thing in the world. Losing anyone’s hard. But losing your child’s beyond words. It’s beyond feelings, it’s surreal … it’s hard to accept and it’s hard to believe and it’s hard to come to terms with.

“But I need to accept it and move on, and we all need to accept it and move on. That’s what Cam would have wanted.”

Cameron made “mates for life” at Worongary primary school and Merrimac State High and while playing soccer for the Nerang Eagles, Aussie rules for Carrara Saints and rugby league for the Nerang Roosters, Mr Duce said.

Cameron’s work boots and a number of fishing rods were present at his funeral to reflect elements of his life. Picture: Glenn Hampson

He told of seeing his son grow from “a boy into a man” in recent years, from getting a long overdue “sense of style” with his haircuts to starting a trade as a hardwood floor installer.

Cameron’s mother, Sonia, also broke down as she told of her love for her “Cammy boy”.

She said she had wanted to keep him “wrapped in bubble-wrap (but) he chose to live, and I’m so glad he lived his life well”.

“He had the best outlook, he was always optimistic,” she said.

“He was so much to so many, an all-round great bloke and a near-perfect son. He would always say ‘I’m your favourite child’ and I would reply ‘you’re my favourite son’.

“He would do anything for me and I believe for others too. There’ll be no more “hi mother’ when we speak on the phone, no more ‘have fun at work’.

“I’m stuck in this moment, Cammy, and I’m going to try my best to live life like you would want me to. I’m immensely proud of you, I wish you knew that whilst you were here. I love you, and I miss you deeply.”

Cameron’s family follow the hearse after Wednesday’s funeral service. Picture Glenn Hampson

Cameron’s sisters, Brianna and Tayla – who turned 21 last week – also delivered heartfelt tributes to their brother.

“Hey Cammy, I hope you’ve found the place where the sun is shining and the water glistens,” Brianna said.

Tayla said: “Cameron was my big brother and my best friend; he was my protector, my guidance, my love, my laughter and my hope. He was truly one of a kind.”

Mr Duce told how held his son’s hand as he lay in intensive care “for the first time in 15 years maybe”.

“I realised how tough his hands had become, because he’s a tradie now, he’s a worker,” he said.

“He’d become a man. And he’d become a good man, a man that I was and still am more than ever so proud of. I couldn’t have asked for more from him, as a son, as a brother, as a friend to others.

“He was just an inspiration to enjoy life with a smile on your face, and don’t take it all too seriously. And that’s going to be my key takeaway from all of this.”