‘Architect of our memories’: Friends and families gather to remember firefighter Michael Kidd

A decorated firefighter, loving husband and father who was killed while fighting a blaze has been remembered as having “a heart full of affection”.

Hundreds of mourners, including NSW leader Chris Minns, lined Bourke St in Richmond on Friday as a red fire truck transported the coffin of fallen firefighter Michael Kidd to St Monica’s Catholic Church.

Mourners filed into the packed church to honour Mr Kidd’s life and pay their respects to the 51-year-old who died while fighting a fire at an Airbnb in the Hawkesbury on December 12.

Mr Kidd’s two sisters, Belinda Ferris and Elizabeth Kidd, delivered a heartfelt message of love and shared fond memories of their late brother.

Describing him as the “architect of our most cherished memories”, the sisters remembered Mr Kidd as a “proud and eager protector and playmate”.

Grieving family watch on as the coffin of firefighter Michael Kidd arrives at the church. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“He wasn’t just a brother … he embraced his role as the eldest sibling with pride and a heart full of affection,” Ms Kidd said.

“I remember our WrestleMania games, using the microwave bell as the timer. Whoever was wrestling and sitting on the other when the bell went off was the winner,” said Ms Ferris, the youngest of the three siblings.

“Living and growing up with Michael meant you didn’t need an alarm clock.”

Mr Kidd was an early riser and the women recounted how those early mornings in his teenage years were a testament to his “vibrant spirit”.

Often up at 6am on Saturday mornings, Mr Kidd was especially fond of tuning into Rage TV for the latest video clips of his favourite musicians.

NSW Premier Chris Minns paid his respects. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Support continues to be offered to the Kidd family from his Rural Fire Service ‘family’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“That involves whacking the side of the television box as hard and as widely as possible,” Ms Kidd said.

“He embraced his role as the eldest sibling with pride and a heart full of affection.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said Mr Kidd “loved being a firefighter”.

“As soon as you met him, you knew he was a good bloke,” he continued.

Mr Fewtrell said juggling family commitments, his job, along with other community involvements were just some of what made Mr Kidd special.

The fire truck was a poignant symbol. Picture: Supplied

Hundreds lined the streets to honour their fallen brother. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Despite all of these commitments, Mr Kidd was “one of the most regular attendees at his fire station”, Mr Fewtrell said.

“Being a retained and volunteer firefighter is a big commitment,” he said.

FRNSW chaplain Lyndsay Smith said everyone was fond of Mr Kidd.

“People enjoyed being with him, working with him, spending time with him,” he said.

Mr Kidd and his wife Rebecca were described as “soulmates and friends”.

The pair met when they were just 18 years old after enrolling in a night-time management course. They struck up a friendship during group work assignments and the rest was history.

Mr Smith delivered Ms Kidd’s eulogy during the service, painting a story of a loving husband and father.

“The value he held for his family and the lengths that he will go to to achieve a goal,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Kidd is carried into the church by the Ceremonial Team of Fire and Rescue. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Ms Kidd described her late husband as a people person who was an inspiration to many.

“Michael proudly bragged that his children were, funny, caring, compassionate, resilient – all character traits passed on to them by their much loved father,” she said.

The father of two was one of the first to arrive at the blaze, which engulfed a Grose Vale home.

The house was reported as not being rented out at the time.

Mr Kidd was hit by a falling beam while inside the home. Fellow firefighters performed CPR before paramedics took over; however, he was unable to be saved and died at the scene.

Mr Kidd was hit by a fallen beam inside the house. Picture: Supplied

Mr Kidd had been a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1989, serving most recently with the Londonderry brigade.

He was also an on-call firefighter for the Richmond Fire Station.

Mr Kidd was recognised with a National Emergency Medal and a Premier’s Bushfire Citation for his efforts during the 2019-20 Black Summer fires.

He is survived by his wife and two adult children, Lachlan and Samantha.