Family and friends of Traralgon man Benjamin Aalbers gather together for his funeral

Loved ones have come together at a touching funeral service for a gifted and generous Traralgon craftsman who died from lung cancer the day after his big wedding day.

Ben Aalbers and Rachel Aalbers when they were younger, on Rachel’s birthday. Picture: Supplied

The Gippsland community has come together to remember a generous, gifted and passionate Traralgon craftsman who tragically died the day after his wedding.

A touching funeral service was held for Benjamin William Aalbers, 46, at the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Traralgon at 11am on Wednesday.

Mr Aalbers is the stepdad of 22-year-old Lenny, father of 15-year-old Alivia and younger brother of Natasha Aalbers, who organised a GoFundMe page.

Ben and his family received the devastating news in January that he had terminal lung cancer, and on February 21, he married Rachel, his partner of 15 years.

At Mr Aalbers funeral, he was described as a hard worker who was very gifted, loved working with his hands and was a kind-hearted person.

Guests who attended were given a bookmark with photos of Mr Aalbers and his children printed on them with one of his iconic quotes, “I can do everything except give birth”.

Mrs Aalbers said in her eulogy she wrote a love letter for her husband.

Bookmarks with photos of Mr Aalbers and his children printed on them with one of his iconic quotes, “I can do everything except give birth”, were given to guests at the funeral.

Bookmarks with photos of Mr Aalbers and his children printed on them with one of his iconic quotes, “I can do everything except give birth”, were given to guests at the funeral.

“And I poured my heart out into that letter and told him everything and how I felt,” she said.

She said Ben was the gift of gratitude and thanked him for loving her completely.

“Both of our kids are very beautiful people and we are so blessed to have them — thank you for being a wonderful provider and for all the work you have done,” Mrs Aalbers said.

“Thank you for all your jokes, the conversations, the teamwork in the kitchen and all your amazing stories.”

Mrs Aalbers said she would never forget the things she shared with her husband, the places they travelled to, all the times they went to the beach and when they lived on a farm in Moe.

“I wish we could have lived their forever — we were so happy there,” she said.

“I will always remember your hugs and your little peck kisses that you would give me when you walked in the door home from work.

“And that cheeky laugh which made me laugh too.”

Family and friends farewelled Benjamin Aalbers at the Gippsland Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Traralgon on Wednesday. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mrs Aalbers said she would treasure all the things Ben made for her and restoring her grandfather’s cabinet.

“Your practicalities is one of the things I love about you,” she said.

“Thank you for being you — I love you so much Ben — you’re my sun, my heart and soul.

“I will love you forever my beautiful, caring, sweet man — you live in my dreams, love your wife.”

Mrs Aalbers father-in-law, Gilbert, said in his eulogy Ben was a “whirlwind arrival” into his life and a “handyman extraordinaire”.

“Ben was always ready and willing to help you,” his father-in-law said.

“The thing that stuck out the most about Ben was his treatment of young Lenny and Alivia.

“He was an honest, reliable and capable person — in your grief, you can be proud of the man you knew and what he did for his family.

“I’d like to leave the last word to Lenny — who when told by his mum that Ben was very sick and wouldn’t be coming home, Lenny said, ‘I know he was not my actual dad, but I still love him’.”

“He never took himself too seriously, but was always there if you needed a proper chat,” Mr Aalber’s work friend Nicko said.