Alexandra Headland club paddles out at The Bluff for Mooloolaba surfer

Surfers paid a fitting tribute to one of their own following his shock health battle as his partner of four decades reveals what she will miss most about him.

Hundreds gathered to farewell Bill Carey during a paddle out at The Bluff at Alexandra Headland. Picture: John Anderson

As Mooloolaba resident Fay Tomasich boated her way to The Bluff, she could not believe the number of surfers waiting in the water to pay tribute to her partner.

Mooloolaba man Bill Carey died on April 24, aged 72, after a battle with cancer that lasted less than eight months.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma just after Ms Tomasich recovered from the same cancer.

“He was looking after me for eight months,” she said.

“Then all of a sudden, he got sick and he was in hospital.”

Hundreds gathered to farewell Bill Carey during a paddle out at The Bluff at Alexandra Headland. Picture: Moment of Stoke

Ms Tomasich met Mr Carey, a former tiler who also worked on trawlers throughout his career, at the old Mooloolaba Hotel and the couple shared 40 years together.

She said the keen surfer and fisher was a helpful man.

Bill Carey died on April 24 following a short battle with cancer.

“He’d do anything for you, he was kind, he was just Bill,” Ms Tomasich said.

“It showed by the turnout (on Sunday) how he got on with everyone.”

Mr Carey was a keen fisher and surfer and, on May 21, about 200 surfers including members of The Alexandra Headland Malibu Club paddled out to pay tribute to their clubmate and friend.

At least 150 or more lined the shore to watch the surfers.

Hundreds lined the shore to pay tribute to Bill Carey during a paddle out at The Bluff at Alexandra Headland on May 21. Picture: Moment of Stoke

Ms Tomasich said she could see her son, granddaughter and grandson leading the group who circled the boat before they splashed, cheered, clapped and threw flowers.

“It’s amazing, so many people to show their respects,” she said.

Fay Tomasich and Bill Carey.

“I saw people I haven’t seen for a long time.”

Ms Tomasich said she would miss Mr Carey because they did everything together.

“The years behind have been beautiful and this is sad but it hasn’t been all bad,” she said.

Mr Carey was also a keen gardener and loved to read.

He is survived by three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She said her partner of four decades also loved his beer.

“Three o-clock was beer o-clock,” Ms Tomasich said.

Long-time friend Mick Vaisnys said he would miss his “number one fishing friend” and deckhand on deep sea fishing expeditions.

“He was a lovely guy,” Mr Vaisnys said.

“It was sad to see him go like that, we thought he had it beat at one stage.”

Originally published as Alexandra Headland club paddles out at The Bluff for Mooloolaba surfer