Funeral funds for Mr BBQ Daryl McCann stolen from markets

Police are investigating the theft of funeral funds raised for market stall owner Daryl McCann, known fondly as Mr Barbecue, who died after collapsing at the front of his Redland spice stand.

Family and friends pay tribute to Daryl McCann, known fondly as Mr Barbecue, who died suddenly at the front of his stall in Redland.

The weekend market stall community, in shock after the sudden death of a well-known stall owner, is now on high alert after cash raised to pay for the man’s funeral was stolen from markets on the weekend.

Logan businessman Daryl McCann collapsed suddenly in front of his Sum Blokes BBQ Rubs and Spices stall at Shoreline estate markets in Redland Bay on July 5.

Mr McCann was selling his popular barbecue spices and rubs at the night markets at Shoreline in Redland Bay when he suffered a medical episode.

Customers rushed to help the 59-year-old, who fell to the ground in front of his stall.

But he died in hospital five hours later, with wife Debra and his children by his side.

Grieving market operators, who fondly referred to Mr McCann as Mr Barbecue, have launched a crowd-funding venture to pay for his funeral on July 15.

But two days before the funeral, a cash bag containing hundreds of dollars of donated funds was taken from a stall at Bethania Markets.

Daryl McCann’s barbecue spices were popular across the southeast. He is pictured with celebrity chef Jan Cranitch, centre, and his wife Debra. Picture: Contributed

Family and friends, along with the market organisers, were now helping police trace the thief.

His wife Debra said she was worried about his missing Medicare card and new shoes she bought him for his birthday weeks before his death.

“My husband’s shoes and his clothes and his Medicare card are still missing from the day of the incident – I know that they are only small items but I want them back,” she said.

“Someone must have those shoes. They are dear to me because he got them for his last birthday and they were just new and I need his Medicare card.”

Ms McCann said when she inquired about the missing items with the Coroner’s office she was told his clothes had been disposed of, but there was no mention of his shoes or the card.

Sum Blokes BBQ Rubs & Spices were popular at markets across southeast Queensland and in Logan, where they were used in products from Bee Kind Honey and Relish the Taste. Picture: Contributed

Although the theft of the money was a bitter setback, The Market Management Group owner Jo Thomas said it had united the market community across the southeast.

The pair had worked closely together and were in the process of establishing new night markets at Waller Park, Browns Plains, with opening night on September 8.

Those markets would be held on the second Sunday night of each month with the inaugural event to be in Mr McCann’s honour.

Ms Thomas described her offsider as a larrikin with a wily sense of humour who called her “Mrs Boss”, even though he was not employed with her company.

“His sudden death shocked the market community, but now this theft is very confronting and unfortunate,” Ms Thomas said.

“We were hoping to help the family pay for Daryl’s funeral because his death was so sudden and unexpected.

“He appeared to be a young healthy man with a great sense of community and always had a smile for everyone.”

Debra McCann said her husband’s shoes and Medicare were still missing and hopes someone will hand them in. Picture: Contributed

Ms Thomas said the Browns Plains Markets Ready Set Feast has had to be rescheduled to Sunday evenings after Mr McCann’s death.

Mr McCann was well known within the barbecue spices business in southeast Queensland.

He sourced most of his ingredients for his eponymous Sum Bloke’s Barbecue Ribs and Spices locally.

He had a working relationship with Logan company Bee Kind Honey, with his spices infused in some products along with Relish The Taste, another boutique company, based on Brisbane’s north side, which used his spices.

He opened his business about four years ago when he retired from Tip Top Bakeries where he was a manager. He starting his working career as a boilermaker.

He left behind wife Debra, daughters Alysha and Naomi, stepsons Tyron, Mitchell and Lachlan, four grandchildren, his mum Daphne, sister Linda and brother Doug.

Originally published as Funeral funds for Mr BBQ Daryl McCann stolen from markets