Search for missing Torres Strait paddler, Denne Bourke, called off as town holds memorial service

There was not a dry eye at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church when the Thursday Island community came together for a memorial service to honour popular coffee van owner Denne Bourke.

There was not a dry eye at Sacred Heart Catholic Church when the Thursday Island community came together for a memorial service to honour popular coffee van owner Denne Bourke.

Authorities and locals conducted a search and rescue operation after the 38-year-old’s unmanned outrigger canoe was found 100 metres off the coast of Thursday Island two weeks ago.

The search for missing paddler Denne Bourke has been called off. Picture: Supplied

And on Monday the search and rescue operation was officially called off after an extensive aerial, vessel and ground search.

He was a well respected and loved member of the community, and Irene Laifoo from the Cannon Bogo Pilot Hostel said his loss had been as if a “very big blanket” of grief had overcome the whole island.

“We’re very, very fond of him, he trained six or seven of our students in canoeing,” she said.

“We all knew him and most of our students knew him. All of our students attended his memorial service on Friday.

“We would have known him since he arrived here and started up his business. I’ve known him for at least 18 months.”

Ms Laifoo said he was a very friendly figure around town who gave the students free coffees and mochas.

“The church was packed and it was standing room only,” she said.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, where a packed memorial service was held for missing man Denne Bourke last Friday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Some people just knew him as “the coffee guy”, but Henry Joseph, who works at the Thursday Island Pharmacy said all the staff there knew him.

“He was a very friendly person, he just fitted in to the community,” he said.

“He pretty much made friends with everybody here, visitors got to know him, and tourists. He was one of our locals and he fitted in with Thursday Island.

“It’s made a big impact on the community. He was a very friendly fellow, very positive.

“He was very respectful and made a big impact on the community.”

Well known Thursday Island businessman and outrigger canoe paddler Denne Bourke was honoured at a memorial service last week. Picture: Supplied

Torres Strait Patrol Group Acting Inspector Andrew Pool praised the community for their efforts in searching for him and close support has been provided to his loved ones.

Queensland Police were helped in the search by federal partner agencies and a large contingent of local vessels from the Thursday Island community during the search.

Department of Environment and Science wildlife officers, Thursday Island Water Police, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), and the QGAir helicopter all joined in the search.

The Queensland Police Service acknowledged the contribution of other services, volunteers and the community in the search.

Originally published as Search for missing Torres Strait paddler, Denne Bourke, called off as town holds memorial service