‘He just lived life to the absolute fullest all the time’: Alexander Aurrichio farewelled in touching funeral

An Akubra and four guernseys rested on Southport Sharks player Alexander “Rooch” Aurrichio’s coffin as he was farewelled in Darwin today.

Alex Aurrichio pictured in January last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

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AN Akubra and the guernseys of his four Australian rules teams rested on Southport Sharks player Alexander “Rooch” Aurrichio’s coffin as he was farewelled in Darwin today.

Aurrichio tragically passed away on June 8 after the bicycle he was riding collided with a car at Howard Springs.

Every pew was filled with the red and white guernsey of Waratah Football Club, which hosted the service at Saint Mary’s Cathedral.

Waratah FC Premier League team manager Sue Kotz, whose family hosted Aurrichio in Darwin, read the eulogy on behalf of Aurrichio’s friend and former teammate Tom Fields.

Bishop Eugene Hurley leads the funeral service for Alexander Aurrichio at the St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

“Alex had the gift to enter into someone’s life for a brief moment and instantly make them feel happier, safer and better about themselves,” she read.

“I (Fields) honestly feel like I won the lottery with his friendship and it gives me great peace knowing it didn’t take losing him to realise this.

“It gives me great peace knowing that Darwin was where Alexander Aurrichio was at his absolute happiest.

Waratah Football Club members outside the service. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

“This was his happiest he’d ever been since his journey began in Australia, and that is a testament to everyone in Darwin who played a role in Alex’s happiness.”

Ms Kotz said she was grateful to have known the beloved player.

“It’s hard to imagine that he’s gone,” she said. “(He was a) larger than life figure that, he just lived life to the absolute fullest all the time.”

Alexander Aurrichio with parents Jill and Lou. Picture: Supplied.

In a video tribute Aurrichio’s parents Lou and Jill, and siblings John, Jillian, Michael and Christopher, thanked Aurrichio’s friends and teammates across Australia for their love.

“The many emails, texts, calls and stories told to us over these past two weeks have been so reassuring that our family is finding comfort in knowing that he was loved and cherished by everyone,” Mr Aurrichio said.

“Thank you for the people of Australia who surrounded him with such warmth and generosity, and to your country, a place he loved so much.”

Originally published as ‘He just lived life to the absolute fullest all the time’: Alexander Aurrichio farewelled in touching funeral