Tributes flow for Joe Bloomfield after his shock death

A mum and her two young daughters have been left devastated after the man who lit up their world took his own life shortly after proposing - in a cruel twist they never saw coming.

Ashlee Bunker and Joe Bloomfield. Picture - contributed.

A Queensland woman and her two young daughters have been left devastated after the light of their life killed himself after proposing - in a cruel twist they never saw coming.

Joe Bloomfield, 42, of Bribie Island, took his own life on Monday, February 26.

He left behind his loving partner and finance Ashlee Bunker, 35, of Bribie Island, and her two daughters.

The couple had been together for more than two years, ran a local landscaping business together, and previously knew each other for some time.

A close friend of the couple, Simone Angus, said Ms Bunker had been left devastated, inconsolable, and heartbroken.

“Her entire world has just been torn apart. Joe was the love of her life, her person, her partner in crime and her best friend,” Ms Angus said.

“They have built a beautiful life together and have worked very hard keeping a business together.

“He will be so very missed by his family and friends; who have now lost such an important person in their life.”

Joe Bloomfield. Picture - Facebook.

A father figure to her daughters, 10 and 12, Mr Bloomfield was known for his happy nature.

“He was always the one with an infectious smile. He was a big kid at heart and so good with the girls,” Ms Angus said.

“Really friendly, overly excited, and always trying to make everyone happy and goes out of his way for anyone.

“He genuinely had the biggest heart.”

Mr Bloomfield was also a lover of the outdoors and staying active.

“He liked swimming, bike riding, surfing, camping, four-wheel driving, fishing, and just any kind of outdoor adventure,” she said.

“He took Ellie (12) and Annaliese (10) on like they were his own daughters. They loved him so much and had a really special bond.

“They’re all just devastated after what happened. When someone passes like this there’s just so many questions.”

Ashlee Bunker and Joe Bloomfield. Picture - contributed.

For the happy couple, who were engaged and planning a surprise wedding, Mr Bloomfield’s struggle with mental health and suicide came as a complete shock.

“It came out of nowhere,” Ms Angus said.

“The girls know what happened. Everyone does. It’s not the kind of thing we can protect them from. It’s best just to be honest.

“They don’t need to know the gory details but they do know his brain wasn’t well.”

With Ms Bunker’s permission, Ms Angus said she wanted to raise awareness of suicide and encourage anyone struggling to seek help.

“Always ask for help. There is always someone who will want to take your call and who wants you around,” she said.

“Think about what you’re leaving behind. You might be gone but the people left behind who love you have to pick up all of pieces.

“There’s always someone who wants you around. Ash said she wanted to encourage men to speak out for help and talk to their friends.”

Ashlee Bunker and Joe Bloomfield. Picture - contributed.

To support her friend, Ms Angus started a GoFundMe campaign.

“Ash is so strong and she’s had to be serious and tough through this but she is devastated,” she said.

“Theirs was a love that everyone was jealous of.

“She’s been left with this big hole in her life and nothing but questions.

“The money we raise will help cover the funeral costs and relive the financial pressures for Ash and her girls while they all grieve.

“She has lost her business as well as her loving partner and we don’t want her to think about going and finding a new job during the hardest time of her life.”