Lake Tinaroo hero’s funeral: Loved ones of Jeff Snelling who died saving his sons share heartache

The wife of a hero dad who saved his boys from drowning at Lake Tinaroo has paid tribute to her husband in an emotional funeral service, saying “he gave me my boys twice.”

It was standing room only when the Atherton community came together to farewell a beloved hero on Friday morning.

Every seat was taken and dozens stood outside in order to be part of the service to celebrate the life of Jeffrey Charles Snelling, 49, who died after saving his two sons when they got into difficulties at Lake Tinaroo on February 12.

At Guilfoyle’s Chapel, Mr Snelling’s coffin was adorned with his battered old hat, crash helmet and several models of tractors and a motorbike, reflecting on his interests and his work as a highly-respected diesel mechanic at the family business Tractors in the Tropics.

His battered hat, crash helmet and models of tractors adorned the coffin of hero Jeff Snelling at his funeral in Atherton on February 24, 2023.

But as everyone gathered knew, there was no greater passion in his life than the one he had for his family.

Mr Snelling’s wife Helen, spoke from the heart when she told the mourners in the chapel and watching the livestream, about the about the “wonderful son, husband and father” the family had lost.

Mrs Snelling was supported by her parents and sister.

“I take comfort in keeping my memories of Jeff close, they are like a warm fluffy blanket,” she said.

“I don't need to tell you he was the greatest husband and father, he gave us the greatest sacrifice he could.

“He gave me my boys twice.”

Mrs Snelling thanked the community for their incredible support over the past days and singled out her family including her sister Rebecca and the first responders whom she said, ‘I thank you with all my heart.”

“To all of you, I thank you with all my heart,” she said.

“To the police officers, especially Winnie and Dwayne, to the ambos who took the boys under their wing and made the made the hardest phone call they can make and spoke straight, to the police divers who never gave up, to the SES, I thank you with all my heart.”

Helen Snelling (centre) accompanied by her sister Rebecca and her father as she spoke about Jeff whom she said, "was the love of my life," at his funeral in Atherton on February 24, 2023. Picture: Alison Paterson

Chris Snelling thanked everyone attending.

“I am sad and sorrowful for Helen, Jeffrey’s wife and her two boys Henry and Benjamin, sad an sorrowful for my grandsons,” he said.

“I am sad and sorrowful for Glenn, Jeff’s little brother and for Judy who said to me the other day, “fifty years ago he was in my tummy ... I thought that said it all.”

He stood by Glenn who spoke of his “adored big brother.”

“I never thought I would have to make a speech like this, especially not for Jeff, and especially not now” he said.

“I never though I would have to organise a funeral or the music or choose a coffin for my brother.

“A big thank you to Helen’s sister Bec who did this.”

Chris Snelling and his son Glenn gave a heartfelt and emotional speech as they farewelled son and brother Jeff Snelling at his funeral on February 24, 2023. Picture: Alison Paterson

Glenn spoke for all when he said, “none of this seems real to me.”

“You hear about these tragic events happening all the time in the news,” he said.

‘These terrible things are always about someone else and you think how terrible and then you carry on with the rest of your day.

“I am so grateful for the 47 years I had with him.”

It was standing room only as the Atherton community came together to support the family and celebrate the life of Jeff Snelling who saved his sons but lost his life at Lake Tinaroo on February 12, 2023. Picture: Alison Paterson

Glenn said if a person is measured on how many people attend their funeral, then “seeing how many people, some who travelled long distances and watching online is testament to how well liked and respected Jeff was.”

“My family is trying hard, we appreciate the visits, please keep it up,” he said.

“We will need you on the coming weeks and months as we pick ourselves up...get to our feet, put one foot after the other and one day at time we keep going as Jeff would have wanted.”

Family members and friends carry Jeff Snelling on his final journey after the funeral to remember the hero who died after saving his sons at Lake Tinaroo on February 12, 2023. Picture: Alison Paterson

After other family members spoke including his niece and nephew, Jeff Snellings coffin was carried on his final journey to the tune of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from the Life of Brian.

Dozens stood outside the chapel for the funeral of Jeff Snelling who died after saving his sons at Lake Tinaroo on February 12, 2023. Picture: Alison Paterson

On Wednesday Chris, 87, said his wife Judy 81, younger son Glenn, 47, and their whole extended family had been completed devastated by the sudden death of Jeff, after the 49-year-old drowned when he became entangled in weed following his heroic rescue of his two boys while swimming at the popular dam.

Atherton man Jeff Snelling drowned at Lake Tinaroo after going to the assistance of his two sons. Photo of Jeff Snelling (centre) with his father Chris and his brother Glenn, taken in 2007. Picture courtesy of Snelling family

Mr Snelling said the wonderful relationship he had with his Jeff and Glenn meant they “were more like brothers”.

“Jeff was a devoted husband and father and was loved by everyone, he leaves an unfillable gap in our family,” Mr Snelling said.

“Jeff was a wonderful man who was a volunteer firefighter, was well-liked and respected in the mechanical and agricultural community.”

Popular Atherton man Jeff Snelling won several events through the North Queensland Tractor Pulling Inc, who said will “be very much missed.” Picture: Supplied

Mr Snelling who worked with Jeff at their business, Tractors in the Tropics, said Jeff was not only a talented diesel mechanic, “he was versatile, could turn his hand to anything, could work with anyone and everyone liked him”.

Atherton man Jeff Snelling drowned at Lake Tinaroo after going to the assistance of his two sons. Photo of Jeff Snelling, 26, taken in 2000. Picture courtesy Snelling family.

Mrs Snelling said their world had been torn apart by her son’s sudden passing.

“His kids absolutely adored him,” she said.

“We loved him so much, Jeff had a great smile, he was a wonderful man.”

The couple said they appreciated how much the Tablelands community had embraced their family since his death, with many sharing stories of their son’s kindness, positive approach and generosity of spirit.

Atherton man Jeff Snelling drowned at Lake Tinaroo after going to the assistance of his two sons. Photo of Jeff Snelling on a 1971 John Deere tractor that he and his father had restored. Picture courtesy Snelling family.

“We have had farmers coming in here in tears,” Mrs Snelling said.

“All the customers, they all became friends because of Jeff,” Mr Snelling said.

Glenn Snelling said his brother was “a wonderful man and a great uncle to our children”.

“I feel lost with him,” he said.

“It doesn’t feel real.”

Mr Snelling’s wife Hitomi agreed.

“I feel as though I have lost a brother,” she said.

Atherton man Jeff Snelling drowned at Lake Tinaroo after going to the assistance of his two sons. Photo of Jeff Snelling and his nephew Ken Snelling, aged 12 months, in the family's work shed. Picture courtesy Snelling family.

Vale Jeffrey Charles Snelling, 13/03/1973 – 12/02/2023.

Originally published as Lake Tinaroo hero’s funeral: Loved ones of Jeff Snelling who died saving his sons share heartache