Bendigo father Michael Burgess remembered as sports fan who ‘just loved life’

A Bendigo dad who died in a car crash near Daylesford has been commemorated as a social man who loved sport and lit up the lives of those around him.

Michael Burgess (left) pictured with siblings Anthony, Natasha, and Robert. Photo: Facebook

The family of a Bendigo father who died in a car crash last week is mourning the loss of a man who “just loved life”.

Michael Burgess, 41, died in a crash at Denver, near Daylesford, on January 18.

He was a father and the second-oldest of four siblings.

His older brother Robert said Michael was a North Melbourne supporter and keen cricketer, having made his maiden hundred in a local competition about three weeks ago.

“He was like a typical kid,” Robert said about the brothers’ upbringing.

“He loved his sport, loved his cricket, loved his footy.”

Michael worked managing NDIS clients and had just begun to start up his own business.

At family gatherings, he made it his job to ensure everyone had a good time, Robert said.

“He was a bit of an entertainer,” he said.

“Whenever we had a family catch-up at Christmas time, he would be in charge of organising all of the alcoholic beverages.

“He was very social.”

Michael’s sister wrote online that her brother was a “bright light in the lives of so many and will be deeply missed”.