St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace school community launches fundraiser for family of Darren Schmidt

A prestigious Brisbane school community is rallying around the family of Darren Schmidt, who died while preparing his own father’s funeral.

Darren Schmidt with his sons Max, George and Freddy. Picture: Supplied

A prestigious Brisbane school community is rallying around a family of three young boys after their father died unexpectedly while preparing for his own father’s funeral in Rockhampton.

Darren Schmidt, who leaves behind wife Fiona and sons Max, George and Freddy, passed away on December 10.

Parents at St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace have started a fundraising campaign to help the grieving family.

Mr Schmidt, a popular cricket coach at Terrace and the University of Queensland, was keenly involved in the community, including at St Ignatius Catholic primary school in Toowong.

A former county cricketer in the UK, he was in Rockhampton with his family ahead of his 80-year-old father Keith’s funeral, due to be held on December 11 but since postponed.

The shock loss has been deeply felt by the Terrace community, with one parent describing Mr Schmidt as a cricket coach who was “always kind, patient and supportive”.

“He coached in the true spirit of junior sport, and would have contributed so much to the school over the years had he been given the opportunity,” she said.

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