Liam O’Brien of Townsville, Brisbane remembered as inspiration after untimely death

Robbie Katter has paid tribute to his cousin, a beloved young dad of two, husband and community champion after he died aged just 42.

Liam O'Brien, a member of the Katter family, passed in Brisbane on Thursday after a two-year fight against a rare form of blood cancer. Born and raised in Townsville, Mr O'Brien is most recently of Brisbane. He has been fondly remembered ahead of his funeral on Friday. Picture: Supplied

A Townsville-born champion of rural North Queensland industry and loving husband, father and friend has been remembered as an inspirational figure.

Liam O’Brien, a member of the Katter family, passed away in Brisbane on Thursday after a two-year fight against a rare form of blood cancer.

He was just 42 and leaves behind wife Josephine, children aged five and six, a loving extended family and a legacy that could change the way Australia fights back against blood cancer.

Brother Conor said Liam, a cousin to Robbie Katter, was a “champion of rural and regional industry” in Queensland, serving as independent chair of AAM Investment Group, which is heavily invested in agriculture, and founder and managing director of boutique advisory firm W. Wightman Advisory.

Conor said his brother had fought an ultimately losing battle against cancer for the last two years.

“One of the really nice things to come out of it was the time that we got to spend together as a family and with Liam’s loved ones, friends included, in his final days,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it and I think many of the people that were caring for him, his doctors and nurses included, haven’t seen anything like it and I think that’s a reflection of how many people that he touched really deeply.”

He described his cousin, born and raised in Townsville, as a “generous and selfless person” and a “committed Catholic who felt his faith very deeply”.

“He touched so many people so deeply that they really came around to be with him in his final days, which was great from our point of view.”

Liam O'Brien has been fondly remembered ahead of his funeral on Friday. Picture: Supplied

A devastated and emotional Robbie Katter, the MP for Traeger, said he grew up with Liam, a former Ignatius Park High School student.

“He was a top bloke, a real blokey bloke, he played rugby league growing up and he’s still got all his best mates, all his close friends that he went to kindy with and primary with in Townsville,” he said.

“He had fiercely loyal friends, wore his heart on his sleeve, and just all around top bloke and good dad.”

Liam O'Brien with his wife Josephine, daughter Sophia and son Robert. Picture: Supplied

Townsville Enterprise, of which Mr O’Brien was a member, also paid tribute to a “remarkable individual who played a pivotal role in projects that have shaped our region”, including the Museum of Underwater Art.

“Liam was a wonderful human being – always optimistic, cheerful and passionate,” TEL said in a statement.

“He cared deeply for people around him. His legacy of innovation and commitment will continue to inspire us as we strive to build upon his incredible contributions.

Liam O'Brien with his family. Picture: Supplied

Rural Doctors Foundation paid tribute to Mr O’Brien, a past director, saying he had “so much more life to live with his wife and two young children”.

“Liam was inspirational before his diagnosis and even more so following the news he received just after his 40th birthday.”

The foundation said Liam and Josephine launched Liam’s Lifesaving List to raise awareness about the vital importance of donating stem cells.

“Only those aged between 18-35 can donate stem cells and Liam and Josephine were successful in increasing the number of donor matches for those diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

The foundation said the world was a better place with Liam in it.

“Liam chose to be kind, he chose to care for others, he chose to be brave and he chose to live his life to help those less fortunate than him … and he chose to leave a legacy that his family can be very proud of.”

Originally published as Liam O’Brien of Townsville, Brisbane remembered as inspiration after untimely death