Ryan Craig’s family reflect on the life of a ‘protector’ who ‘loved hard’

To those that knew him, Ryan Craig wasn’t just Billy Slater’s brother-in-law. He was a devoted family man who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his little girl’s life.

Ryan Craig pictured with his wife Sheena and four daughters. Picture: Supplied.

A hero father who gave his life to protect his daughter from drowning in a Queensland Dam is being remembered as a caring family man who loved cars, motorbikes and music.

Ryan Craig, husband to Sheena (sister of league legend Billy Slater) and devoted dad to daughters Connie, Hazel, Eleanor, Florence and Annabelle, leaves an irreplaceable void in his devastated family who paid tribute to him on Thursday.

“You don’t realise how loved someone is, whether people knew him or not the support has been amazing. That’s a reflection of him as well,” his family, who wanted to be quoted together said.

“He left us protecting his family, that’s a real trait of who he was.”

A tragic boating accident on Kinchant Dam, near Mackay, claimed the life of the 40-year-old. One of his final heroic acts was to help save his nine-year-old daughter who went overboard.

Ryan’s sister Lauren described him as not only her brother, but her “best mate”.

“He was a protector, he loved hard, he gave the best hugs, his hugs were strong and meaningful,” the family said.

“He loved his mates, he was fun, he had the best sense of humour, he was very quick-witted.

“His girls and Sheena were his absolute priority as well, he was very devoted and a real hands-on dad. He was affectionate, he liked to do fun things with them.”

Loving husband and father of four Ryan Craig passed away on Saturday, March 9.

Ryan’s greatest passions were motors and music.

“He loved fast things, he learnt to ride a motorbike around the farm when he was quite young and broke a number of bones on motorbikes,“ his family reminisced.

“He had a Holden ute, then he had another Holden ute, then he had his club sport, he loved his toys and playing and tinkering with them.

“He was a motor man. His car is in the garage right now and the bonnet’s up.

“When his car would pull up in the driveway the girl’s would get that excitement, that’s probably the biggest reflection of what that meant to the girls.”

Ryan was also passionate about djing and music, often working functions and pub nights with his best mate Trent.

A North Eton man, he was equally as passionate about the Pioneer Valley.

“He was a big valley boy and all his mates were from up the valley … valley pride.” the family said.

Ryan Craig and his loving wife Sheena.

“We want people to read this and go, ‘that was my brother’, ‘that was my mate’.

“It’s a real celebration of his life.”

They wanted to thank emergency services, VMR, SES, CQ Rescue, Kinchant Dam Waters, and the Eton police for their efforts following the tragedy.

Members of his family also expressed their gratitude to the general Mackay community for its “overwhelming” support throughout the difficult circumstances.

“From people that were close to the family and people that weren’t close to the family as well.

“Everyone’s been reaching out and sending their condolences, it’s been overwhelming but very humbling too.”

Ryan was the beloved son of Debbie and Bob Edwards, and Robert and Kay Craig.

He was also the best mate, brother-in-law and brother to Lauren and Cameron, Daniel and Alanna, and Billy and Nicole.

Ryan Craig’s funeral Service will be held at 1.00pm Wednesday, 20th March 2024 at New Life Church, 75 Evans Avenue, North Mackay.