East Belmont cricketer Liam Harrington farewelled in moving service at Kardinia Park

Heartbroken family and friends have farewelled a much-loved cricketer who died suddenly last week.

Liam Harrington was remembered as a sportsman with an infectious warmth and ability to make those around him smile. Picture supplied.

The family of East Belmont cricketer Liam Harrington, who tragically died last week, have remembered him as a “warm and friendly” sportsman with an infectious love of life.

Family and friends packed into the President’s Room at Kardinia Park, with standing room a necessity, to farewell a man who could always see the good in someone, and made a habit of making everyone feel like they were one of his best mates.

The 34-year-old died suddenly following an incident at a Lethbridge farm last week.

Mr Harrington’s sister, Jemma, who affectionately called him Leo, spoke of his life from the curly-haired sports-mad brother she grew up with on the family dairy farm in the Colac Otway Shire to the fun, cheerful and proud uncle he became to his nieces and nephews.

“Leo had such a genuine interest in people, he could and would talk to anyone about anything,” she said.

“He was an always happy and optimistic presence.”

Liam Harrington lived life to the fullest, his memorial service was told. Picture supplied.

Football scarfs and cricket caps were among the club colours on display, as those who knew Mr Harrington gathered to pay their respects to a life full of family, friends and as much sport as he could fit in between.

His elder brother, Rory, was among those to pay tribute.

“When you list the things he’s done, places he’s been, activities he’s been involved in, it really adds up,” he said.

Symbols of Mr Harrington’s life were displayed during the ceremony, emblems from the his many sporting clubs from the Otways to East Belmont, rocks from Johanna beach.

Mr Harrington’s “love of any game with a ball” meant he found friends anywhere he went, even playing soccer on the beaches of Bali.

Kelly, one of Mr Harrington’s cousins, said he could form a deep connection with anyone.

“An unassuming quiet beer with Leo could turn into one of the most memorable nights of your life,” she said.

“He made family wherever he went, you could see it in his sporting clubs, his workplaces.”

That the room, the largest function room at Kardinia Park, was full to the brim came as no surprise to those who knew him, East Belmont president Tom Scannell said.

“He genuinely cared, he cared about everyone,” he said.

Mr Harrington left an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Originally published as East Belmont cricketer Liam Harrington farewelled in moving service at Kardinia Park