Tributes to people Cairns and the Far North lost in 2021
The Far North lost some cherished business identities, advocates and community members during the past year. Here we bid a final farewell to some of the personalities.
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COMING to terms with Covid has meant a challenging year for most but tougher for families that have lost loved ones in 2021.
This year the Far North bid a final farewell to cherished civic leaders, advocates, community stalwarts, inspirational figures and just regular people taken too soon.
Here we pay tribute to 32 personalities that are no longer with us but have helped to shape our community.
January 2
Cairns property expert Rick Carr was 67 when he suffered a sudden and massive heart attack on January 2 while cycling.
His death was a shock to friends as the former Herron Todd White partner was known for his active lifestyle, even in semi retirement.
Mr Carr was remembered as “a true gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him.”
January 9
Cairns lost one of its giants in January as friends and family came to grips with the sudden death of real estate industry veteran and community icon Ross Moller.
The LJ Hooker Cairns Edge Hill principal died unexpectedly after mowing his lawn.
The respected 66-year-old was president of the Cairns Amateurs and Cairns Taipans board member when he died.
January 15
An Atherton Tablelands farmer, Gavin Doull, had a deep connection to the land.
His death in a freak tractor rollover was felt throughout the Far Northern dairy industry earlier this year. The void left by the loss of the humble and kind farmer was noticed throughout the tight-knit dairy community.
Described as a deep thinker and thoughtful man Mr Doull was heavily involved with the Tablelands Landcare movement and was a former Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation councillor.
January 18
Jeffrey Jack Hansen, 33, died in a Mareeba motorcycle crash on January 18.
He was remembered as a young man determined to have a positive future, while young people across Tablelands paid tribute to a “funny bugger” who was full of life and energy.
January 24
A packed house at a memorial service to send off Dennis “Millsy” Mills in January was testament to the popularity of the fallen Stratford Dolphins Football Club stalwart.
The 49-year-old died after being hit by a car on Lower Freshwater Road.
The boilermaker by trade was remembered as a solution-focused man with a good sense of humour who was loved by all.
January 31
Tributes poured in for a Far North primary school teacher who died following a hiking accident at Stoney Creek falls.
Emily Hutchinson, 31, was declared dead at Cairns Hospital after being flown from the falls aboard the Rescue 510 helicopter in a critical condition.
Friends of the former Western Cape College teacher paid tribute to the loss of the “the most beautiful soul ever”.
February 10
The tight-knit Cairns cycling community was hit with grief and despair after one of its most dedicated young members, Luke Azzopardi, was killed in a horrific crash on Lake Morris Rd.
The 19-year-old gifted former state cycling champion had the world at his feet when his life was cut tragically short but those who knew him were adamant his legacy would live on.
February 16
Ross Percival was hit by a truck and killed while on foot on the Bruce Highway near Innisfail.
Before his death the senior project engineer lifted the lid on alleged corrupt procurement practices and concealment, dishonest dealings within the Cairns Regional Council.
A Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into conduct of council staff is yet to release findings.
February 26
Tributes poured in for young Port Douglas man, Joel Bowen, after he died suddenly “living his dream” while serving for the Australian navy.
The 20-year-old was being remembered as a “funny, inspirational, humble, compassionate, motivational, loyal, caring” and a “true mate” by parents, Dawn and Wade who bravely did what no parent should have to, when they buried their son.
February 27
Dr Andrew Shearer was a giant of Far Northern cancer treatment and positively touched the lives of so many. The highly respected oncologist who founded the Cairns Haematology and Oncology Clinic died on at his home on February 27.
Dr Shearer was described as kind, gentle, compassionate and genuine. He was farewelled at a service held at the COUCH Wellness Centre
February
Tributes have poured in for the well-known Atherton Tablelands farmer Hughie Raso who died in February after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the Tablelands farming community’s most colourful characters he was remembered as hardworking, quick-witted, loyal and a dedicated, loving family man.
He died at the age of 70 leaving behind three children.
May 5
The Far North arts community mourned the loss of inspirational creative visionary, Arone Meeks, who was at the forefront of the region’s art movement.
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair director died peacefully at Cairns Hospital after a short battle with cancer.
He was described as a “national treasure” by CIAF director Gillian Mailman.
May 9
Cairns woman Milada Zak who died after plunging more than 50m from the top of Windin Falls on Mother’s Day was fondly remembered earlier this year as a ‘beautiful friend’.
The 58-year-old had hiked with her family to a natural infinity pool in the Wooroonooran National Park when she fell and died.
May 9
Paulyna Mosby, 24, was 32 weeks pregnant when she suddenly fell ill and flown to Perth for urgent treatment.
She died on Mother’s Day after giving birth to her third child.
Adoptive mother Natasha Mene said the grieving family had been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support.
June 11
Family, friends and fellow adrenaline-junkies said final goodbyes to Far North thrillseeker Rob Parry who died in a boating accident in the Port Douglas marina in June.
The well-respected skydiver and mountaineer fell from a boat in Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina and could not be revived.
June 6
A dedicated international pilot and Army veteran was remembered as a loving father and grandpa after his tragic death competing in Cairns’ 2021 Ironman event.
Dave Hayes died during the swim leg off Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.
It was the third swim-related Ironman death in six years, following the death of Kewarra Beach woman Erica Atkins in 2015 and a 47-year old Japanese man in 2016.
June 13
Before a massive crowd at Cazalys Stadium Joseph Kearsley was given one final run on the football pitch after losing a battle with cancer in June.
Remembered as a talented young footballer and an incredible human being with a great sense of humour, the Cairns community turned out in their hundreds to farewell the 18-year-old.
June 22
Atherton man, Daniel Mitchell, killed in a horrific accident on the Bruce Highway was remembered as a fun-loving person who made everyone smile.
“Dan always made your bad days good, always making us laugh and smile with his little antics – I’m going to miss that boy so much,” co-worker Chantell Barwell Caddies said immediately after the 23-year-old’s death.
June 28
A legend of the Chinese-Australian community in Cairns was remembered as a true blue gentleman and “as local as they come”following the death of Laurence “George” Wah Day in July.
The 91-year-old died peacefully leaving behind a long line of family and friends who remembered his selfless outlook, good humour and community leadership.
July
The life and achievements of the man that brought Buddhism to the Cairns region in 1995 were celebrated following the death of Laurence-Khantipalo Mills in July.
A memorial service was held in Cairns for people unable attend a service for the well-respected monk in Victoria.
July 3
Caring young Babinda woman Ailsa-Rani Satini was remembered for her love of her family, “everything outdoors” and rugby league at an emotional memorial service after dying in a Manoora car crash. The Innisfail Leprechauns player was awarded the Year 12 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation scholarship in her last year of school.
July 21
The Far North performing arts community was plunged into mourning in July following the death of a “true gentleman” and “inspirational” stage figure John O’Donnell.
The former Cairns Choral Society president died aged 89, after a two-year battle with cancer and a life spent entertaining and serving the community.
July 28
The Far North community of Tinaroo was left reeling by the “horrific” death of much-loved mother-of-three, Karen Kattenberg, who was tragically killed in a head-on Kennedy Highway crash in July.
The Atherton Hospital occupational therapist left behind three young daughters and a loving husband.
Many in the tight-knit township of Tinaroo were deeply saddened by the sudden loss.
August 4
The community of Freshwater was left reeling after the sudden death of a fit and healthy mother-of-two, Sara McCarthy, who collapsed on a Cairns footpath returning from a jog.
The 45-year-old was a Year 5 teacher at Freshwater State School.
Her death devastated her loving family, friends and the school where she was well loved by staff, students and admired by all.
August 6
A Cairns community, in August, mourned the loss of one of the city’s most generous volunteers, Jim Cavill.
Described as having a heart of gold Mr Cavill service to the Cairns Ironman and Cairns Road Runners events was testimony to him being the “great bloke” he was.
The death of the 61-year-old was a huge blow to the Far North sporting community.
August 10
Tributes poured in at the passing of well-known Port Douglas restaurateur Tony Lo.
Mr Lo had served the Far North community for more than 30 years but lost his battle with cancer on in August.
Loyal customers were left heartbroken by the news and an online tribute page published 300 messages from wellwishers across the country.
August 19
Property developer with a passion for Mareeba, Sam Musumeci, died in hospital three weeks after a horrific Kennedy Highway crash that also claimed the life of a Tinaroo mum Karen Kattenberg.
The quarry owner and Mareeba Chamber of Commerce vice president was remembered as a hardworking family man and community contributor who would be missed on the Atherton Tablelands.
September 2
Admirers of the undisputed queen of the Redlynch Valley paid tribute to the larger than life equine icon who died this year after bringing more than 20 years of joy to local children.
Firefly the mare was part of the Boden family for 27 years and was put to sleep after a vet decided nothing could be done to save the horse.
September 5
Former Cairns District Rugby League premiership winner Stephen ‘Howie’ Howlett was remembered as a “gentleman” on the footy field and in life following his death in September.
He was a Ivanhoe Knights junior and a member of the club’s A-grade sides that claimed back-to-back premierships in 1990 and 1991.
Mr Howlett died unexpectedly while training for a 10km Cairns Marathon event.
September 22
The family of slain father-of-five Michael John Eaton spoke about their devastation following the shock death of the Cairns man who was murdered at Cairns Central shopping centre.
Mr Eaton was remembered as a “cheeky character” and a “true fighter” after he was allegedly stabbed to death by Nicholas George Boak.
October 30
The Cairns cricket community was left devastated in October by the shock drowning of a well-respected coach and loving husband, Steve Argoon following a freak boating accident at Kinchant Dam.
The Bentley Park father, a carpenter by trade, served for many years as coach of the Cricket Far North Under-21 squad and achieved a great deal for the south Cairns cricket community.
November 23
The man fatally shot at a Watsonville address has been fondly remembered by the tight-knit Tablelands community.
Paul “Pauly” Carroll, 35, died at his West Bischoff Mill Road home on November 23.
Ryan Draper, in tribute to Mr Carroll, hoped his fallen mate would rest peacefully.
“You will be greatly missed by all who knew you,” he said.
November 26
Far North Queensland lost one of its greatest political champions with the death of former Cairns MP and treasurer Keith DeLacy.
His death brought the end to an era of tireless service to his region and its people, harking back to a political career that began almost four decades ago.
The 81-year-old died following a long battle with cancer.
December 3
The tight-knit community of Cooktown has been left reeling by the shock death of Isabell (Izzy) Brown in a traffic accident on earlier this month.
The 12-year-old Cooktown State School student was a passenger in a Nissan sedan driven by a close family member when the vehicle crashed and rolled on Railway Ave, East Cooktown.
December 3
Family of Tully man Aden Lawlor who was a suspected hit-and-run on the Bruce Highway struggled to come to terms with the 20-year-old’s death on December 3.
Distraught sister Lacey Lawlor pleaded with motorists to come forward with information about the accident which remains under investigation by police.
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