Tributes for Dubbo barber Ty Hawkins after tragic death

Tributes are flowing for a much-loved Dubbo barber who donated his time to cut the hair of men experiencing homelessness and children in refuges after his tragic and sudden death.

Tributes are flowing for beloved Dubbo barber Ty Hawkins after his death from a stroke. Picture: Supplied

A community in the state’s central west has been left in mourning, after a much loved local barber’s sudden death rocked residents.

Ty Hawkins was only 43 when an unexpected stroke took his life in early June.

Mr Hawkins, who was the owner of the Barber Shop on Fitzroy St in Dubbo, cut the hair of not just paying customers, but the homeless as well.

He is survived by his wife Lauren, and children Max, Lily, and Andy, along with his parents Ray and Alison, his aunt Kathy, older brother Ian and his wife Amy and their two sons Harry and Charlie, and his twin brother Luke and his wife Bee and their son Ben.

“If you have a bit of time, pray for them, gather round them and hold them tight when they need holding because it’s going to be a rough time for quite a while,” friend Paul Woodford wrote on Facebook.

Tributes are flowing for beloved Dubbo barber Ty Hawkins after his death from a stroke. Picture: Supplied

Along with his talents for giving Dubbo residents good hairstyles, he has been described as someone who was “community minded”, especially for the local soccer and cricket clubs.

Since his death, Mr Hawkins’s brother Ian has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and ease the financial burden on Ty’s wife and three kids.

“Ty was a loving husband, father, son and brother. Please help us raise money to support his wife and children,” the GoFundMe states.

Separately, Mr Hawkins’ family advised they would hold a private funeral for the much-loved father of three.

“They are well aware of the huge number of people who want to farewell Ty and are busy making arrangements for a memorial service that everyone can attend,” a statement on his business page read.

“They will advise of these details as soon as they are finalised.”

Ty Hawkins. Picture: Supplied

In addition to the fundraiser, tributes have poured in across Facebook as many community members shared fond memories of Mr Hawkins.

“A humble and fun loving young man has gone too soon,” the Canoe Marathon Paddlers Chat Australia posted.

“Our sincerest condolences to the Hawkins family, especially to his wife Lauren and his three young children.”

One resident posted how Mr Hawkins’s altruistic nature was “well known” around town.

“He was well known around town for his work coaching, training and umpiring kids in cricket and football and in his job as a barber,” they wrote.

“He also gave haircuts to the homeless and people down on their luck.

“He will be missed by many people.”

A spokesperson for the Orana Support Service, which assisted men at risk of homelessness with crisis accommodation at Sturt House in Dubbo, also paid tribute to Mr Hawkins, who used to give their residents haircuts, along with children in a Dubbo women’s refuge.

“Sad news, it really hit us hard,” they said.

“Just a genuine good person that really cared. I really feel for his family at this sad time.”

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