Justice Malcolm Blue KC farewelled at funeral following tragic accident on Willunga vineyard

Family and friends of Justice Malcolm Blue KC have gathered at Centennial Park to farewell one of the state’s most respected judges following a farming tragedy.

Justice Malcolm Blue KC has been remembered as a loving father and eminent legal mind after his unexpected death earlier this month.

After retiring from the state’s Supreme Court in August, ending a 47-year legal career, Justice Blue was killed at his Willunga vineyard two weeks ago while using a tractor.

The 70-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, just three weeks into his long-awaited retirement.

Justice Malcolm Blue died on his family farm at Willunga. Picture: Supplied by family

Justice Malcolm Blue pictured with partner Angela. Picture: Supplied by family

On Tuesday, more than 300 people attended his funeral at Centennial Park, Pasadena, including prominent legal personalities like Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, former Attorney-General Vickie Chapman and LK Law principal Skip Lipman.

Revealing a personal side to the respected jurist, Justice Blue’s daughter Charlotte said they bonded over his recently purchased farm, which it had been his lifelong wish to own.

“My dad is and was the most patient person I had ever known ... Even though he was a man of few words, I never once doubted his love for me,” Ms Blue said.

Remembrance card for Justice Malcolm Blue KC. Picture: Dean Martin

In a eulogy delivered by her daughter Victoria, partner Angela Hayley said she had “waited a long time to have him to myself” and “cruel was the only way to describe what has happened”.

In a decorated legal career, Justice Blue was head of Adelaide’s star-studded Bar Chambers and president of the SA Bar Association, among other highly-sought positions.

He attended the University of Adelaide on a scholarship and sat on the South Australian Supreme Court from 2011 to August this year.

Chief Justice Kourakis said his talent for problem-solving and memorising facts was “legendary”, cementing his reputation as a “specialist in long and complex cases”.

“He was generous and he gave up his time regularly to anyone who asked ... Stressful situations just encouraged him to think more clearly and devise a solution,” Chief Justice Kourakis said.

SA Police are still investigating the circumstances leading up to Justice Blue’s death but do not believe it was suspicious.

He is survived by partner Angela and daughters Charlotte, Alex and Victoria, as well as sisters Elizabeth, Margaret and Virginia.

Originally published as Justice Malcolm Blue KC farewelled at funeral following tragic accident on Willunga vineyard