Gordon Comer remembered in emotional tribute after Russell Island tragedy

The longtime friend of a boatie who died in a Father’s Day tragedy off Brisbane has revealed the tragic moment he found out his mate of more than 20 years was gone.

Gordon Comer who was found dead in the water near Russell Island on September 1. Picture: Facebook

The longtime friend of a boatie who died in a Father’s Day tragedy on Russell Island has paid an emotional tribute to his mate of more than 20 years.

Gordon Comer has been identified as the man whose body was pulled from the water after his boat was found overturned near a jetty near High Street on the Island around 12.30pm on September 1.

Emergency services pulled his body to the shore but were unable to revive him.

The 78-year-old lived in Moorooka but was a regular visitor at Russell Island, where he had a holiday property and the boat he used at the weekend.

Bruce Legg, who had been a close friend of Mr Comer’s for more than two decades, revealed the tragic moment he found out his mate was gone.

“On Wednesday I was going to the mainland to bring my car home and I saw his boat and I let him know he might want to take a look at it because people are knocking things off boats there all the time,” he said.

“He told me that he’d be out on the boat on the weekend and he’d take a look then.

“That night I ended up in hospital and then on the weekend I heard someone had drowned … it wasn’t until Monday when Gordon was meant to be coming to see me, I thought ‘oh sh*t’ I wonder if Gordon is OK’.

Gordon Comer who was found dead in the water at Russell Island on September 1. Picture: Facebook

“I tried to call him and no answer and that’s not like Gordon, normally if it rings out he’ll call right back, that’s when I started worrying.

“Then a friend let me know the police were at my property to let me know it was Gordon who had unfortunately died.

“I was pretty upset, I had lost a very close friend.”

Mr Legg recalled how their friendship started at a boat auction in the early 2000s and Mr Comer was something he “would do anything” for you.

“We both sort of had the same sense of humour talking about our ex-wives and families and having a big b**ch about the world,” he said.

“It was our sense of humour that made us just hit it off.

“I treasured his friendship. I’ve had prostate cancer and I’d stop at his place and have a cup of tea with him, he’d do anything for you.

“He was a very special friend to me, he was a Kiwi and so am I.

“He’ll be sorely missed, the world’s not going to be a better place without him here.”

Mr Comer is believed to have one son, who he was not particularly close with.

Mr Legg also said he was unsure what had happened to his mate as he was a “very capable boatie” but believed he probably suffered a medical episode.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said investigations were ongoing and anyone with information was encouraged to contact police.