Hervey Bay’s Steve Alexander farewelled at funeral

A beloved 34-year-old dad-of-two has been farewelled following his shock death during an emotional funeral service in Hervey Bay.

The funeral of Steve Alexander.

The grieving sister and partner of a young father taken too soon have shared heartbreaking memories of the electrician and his “irreverent” sense of humour.

Hervey Bay’s Steve Alexander died on March 24, 2025, aged 34.

He was the much-loved husband of Jess and father to Michaela and Isabella.

Steve’s funeral was held at the Orana Chapel in Hervey Bay on Thursday.

Celebrant John Borg said there was no doubt all gathered would need strength to “get through this tragic loss of life, taken unexpectedly”.

Steve’s sister Lisa delivered his eulogy.

She said it was great to see so many people wearing their footy colours – “Steve would have really loved that”.

The son of Sandra and Kevin, he was born in Barcaldine, a town that lived and breathed rugby league.

Steve Alexander with his beloved daughters Michaela and Isabella.

“From the start Steve was destined to love football, and to wear maroon, the colour of the Barcaldine Sand Goannas, the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland.”

He also donned red and green when he played for the Hervey Bay Seagulls, Lisa said.

From the moment he was born, Lisa said she doted on her baby brother – he was her best friend, and she was his protector.

Lisa said she had fond memories of spending time with the kids from their neighbourhood, dressed in superhero costumes and playing hide and seek.

In 2010, Steve had reconnected with Jess, who he had first met at school.

“Jess and her family quickly became an integral part of Steve’s life, taking him with them on holidays and inviting him into their home and hearts,” she said.

Steve Alexander died on March 24, 2025.

In 2015 the two had married. They shared two children, who were the centre of their family.

“When I asked the girls what word they would use to describe their daddy, both replied ‘funny’,” Lisa said.

“I think most of the people who knew him best would agree with that.”

After school Steve completed an electrical apprenticeship in 2014 with the support of his dad.

In 2023, Steve was granted his electrical contractor licence in order to take over his dad’s business, Kevin Alexander Electrical.

Lisa recalled answering the phone call from her dad “that no one should have to receive” – her brother had died.

“It was unexpected and it was devastating,” she said.

“The grief attached to such a monumental loss sits heavy like a stone.

“I have so many questions. The answers I seek crackle in and out like a distant radio station, swallowed by static.

“They fade before I can tune them in.

“I wonder if I could have done something – maybe you do too.

“But here’s what I’ve come to realise – I loved my brother. We all did. And yet love alone cannot cure mental illness.

“Unlike physical illness it hides in silence, convincing people to carry the darkness alone instead of reaching out for support.

“The way that my brother died is important to my brother’s story, but it doesn’t define him.”

Lisa thanked those who had reached out to support the family through Steve’s loss, calling, messaging, cooking for them, sending flowers and “showing so much grace”.

“You will be both missed and remembered for the way you loved your family, footy and for your dry, irreverent, sometimes inappropriate sense of humour and fun.”

On the hard days, Lisa said she would remind herself she wouldn’t trade the love to escape the grief.

“I wouldn’t erase the happiness to avoid the pain, and I will endure a lifetime of missing him for the privilege of having loved him.”

Jess than spoke of meeting Steve at Urangan State High School, where at first she did not like him, “or his cocky friend group”.

The two lost contact after Steve left Urangan State High School until one muggy Saturday when the two met again when Steve was getting a lift from one of Jess’s friends on the way to a party.

He later added her on Facebook, which led to days then weeks of messaging and FaceTiming.

The two quickly became an item and were inseparable, meeting each other’s families and spending holidays together.

Jess and Steve Alexander.

Jess described finding out she was pregnant with their first child and welcoming their first daughter Michaela after an emergency caesarean.

Michaela immediately became the apple of his eye, Jess said.

Steve popped the question during a holiday in Las Vegas, saying that he had been passing a jewellery store and saw the perfect ring, which he knew Jess would love.

On May 30, 2015, the two got married in what Jess remembered as a day of “pure love, humour and joy”.

They later welcomed their second daughter, Isabella, in February 2017, Jess said.

She said it wasn’t goodbye – just “until we meet again”.

A montage of photos was then shown to those gathered and Michaela and Isabella placed sunflowers on Steve’s casket.

Others were then invited to place petals on the casket before the service was concluded.

Originally published as Hervey Bay’s Steve Alexander farewelled at funeral