Redcliffe stall owner ‘Big Rob’ remembered for generosity, impact on community

A hugely popular market north of Brisbane will not be the same following the death of well-loved stallholder ‘Big Rob’ Dunne — a man his heartbroken wife says was large in size, personality and generosity.

Robert Dunne’s wife Sue would often jokingly say to her husband he would have a heart attack and, sadly, that is exactly what claimed ‘Big Rob’.

Mr Dunne, operator of the popular Rob’s Bacon & Egg Roll stall at the Sunday Redcliffe markets, died suddenly from cardiac arrest on August 28.

The 54-year-old has been remembered for more than his delicious cooking, with Mrs Dunne saying she had received hundreds of messages of thanks and stories from people helped by her husband.

Family, friends and customers of Rob Dunne are mourning his sudden passing. Picture: Facebook/Rob's Bacon & Egg Rolls

“He was a really big man, he was loud, there was a lot he did that I never knew about,” Mrs Dunne said.

“I had a person say to me before Rob passed: ‘I was behind your husband in Coles and he paid for a man’s groceries’.

“Down at the markets we’d give away burgers to the homeless, somebody walking through that looked like they didn’t have anything.

“So giving, so generous, and he didn’t do it for any glory.”

Robert Dunne (left) loved to sing and hand out food to the homeless while cooking at the markets. Picture: Facebook/Rob's Bacon & Egg Rolls

Standing at 193cm tall (6ft 4in), Mrs Dunne joking that her husband was almost the same around the stomach as he loved his cooking so much.

He was also known for singing loudly while cooking at the markets.

“I’d be working my guts out while he’s there singing,” Mrs Dunne said.

“He used to have his music on, singing to Gangnam Style and sing out “Hey, sexy Susie” and I’d tell him to be quiet.

“The amount of people that have messaged me saying how he helped them, what he helped them with

“It’s absolutely flawed me.”

Mrs Dunne’s daughter and son have flown home to support her.

She said she would take a few weeks off before returning with Rob’s Bacon & Egg Rolls at the markets.

The public funeral will be held at Great Northern Gardens of Remembrance at Deception Bay, on September 6 at 10am.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to fund part of the funeral costs.