Hawkesbury River Sydney Seaplanes pilot Gareth Morgan farewelled after New Year’s tragedy
THE family of Canadian pilot Gareth Morgan who died in a seaplane crash on New Year’s Eve have described him as a caring son and brother “who never ceased to make us proud” at a memoral service in Sydney.
NSW
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AT 8am on New Year’s Eve, two police officers delivered news to parents of pilot Gareth Morgan that he had died in a plane crash on the Hawkesbury River killing all on board.
“Our beloved 44-year-old son was no longer with us on this earth,” his shattered father Dudley told mourners at a memorial service at Sydney’s Jubilee Church in Waverley today.
His voice cracking with emotion, the former University of Sydney lecturer went on: “This is totally back to front, a child is supposed to give a eulogy at the parents’ funeral, not the other way round... we don’t understand it.
“We will miss you terribly - our hearts are broken.”
The Canadian airman flew planes for more than 25 years in challenging environments all over the world, including the Canadian high arctics and Myanmar - but he died within 50kms of where he was born, in Sydney’s Paddington.
More than 200 mourners, including fellow pilots from Sydney Seaplanes and flatmates, sat through a touching slideshow of his life that flashed on a giant screen.
Unrestrained grief took hold of the congregation as strains from a Mozart string quartet rang out.
His gentle soul, passion for flying and christian faith were constant throughout the eulogies delivered.
Slideshow images of him patting a wallaby, as a track runner, playing soccer and flying planes documented his life.
When his parents recovered his car yesterday, they found a copy of the bible on the passenger’s seat.
“That’s what’s Gareth did, he found time to read the bible in quiet places and reflect,” his father said, adding, “He was a man of God.”
Born at the Royal Hospital for Women in Paddington, Mr Morgan was raised a young boy in the eastern suburb of Maroubra with his brother Dallas and sister Cydane before his family moved to Vancouver Island, Canada.
His tearful mother Orlis, who flew into Sydney with her family on Friday, said: “His adventurous spirit was perfect for his job, he loved being at the helm looking after others.
“Being in the air made him feel closer to god.
“You have come home, Gareth, after more than 25 years flying floatplanes around the world, you are finally home.
“There aren’t enough words in the English language to begin to describe the depth of his soul, the warmth of his smile and the clear blue of his eyes.
“Gareth, dear son, you have finally come home to your family.”
Chauffeur and family friend Gary Rosenberg broke down in tears after the service when he handed the family Mr Morgan’s last two Sydney Seaplanes shirts.
Mr Morgan was killed when the seaplane he was flying nosedived into Jerusalem Bay on New Year’s Eve alongside passengers -British businessman Richard Cousins, 58, his two sons Will and Edward, his fiancée Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter Heather, 11.
Sydney Seaplanes, for whom Mr Morgan worked since 2011, is helping crash investigators piece together what happened.
A preliminary report into the crash is being compiled by experts with initial findings due to be published at the end of the month.
A private cremation will be held this week after which the family will fly his ashes home to Vancouver Island.
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