Byron Haddow honoured in Noosa funeral after tragic, mysterious Bali death

Grieving family and friends paid a heartfelt, emotional goodbye to a respected, hardworking Noosa man after the 23-year-old’s mysterious death during a holiday in Bali earlier this year.

Pictures of Byron Haddow shared at his touching funeral in Noosaville on June 23. Photo: contributed

A young FIFO worker who tragically died during a holiday overseas has been remembered as a hardworking young man by his grieving family during an emotional funeral.

Young Noosa man Byron Haddow was honoured during the service at Gregson and Weight, Noosa, by his friends and family after his mysterious death in Bali on May 26.

Questions remain about what led to his death, as his parents Robbie and Chantal Haddow note, to their knowledge, he last went out in Legian, north of Kuta, and returned home to his private villa where he had stayed for days.

Now, his family and friends have honoured his memory as they await answers from a Queensland Coroner’s investigation.

On Monday, June 23, Byron’s casket was adorned with personal items, memorabilia such as his hi-vis work, fishing and 4WD gear, as the crowd gathered to celebrate the life of “Bizza”, one of many nicknames, the funeral director pointed to.

The service began with a touching eulogy written by Byron’s mother Chantal, read out by the funeral director to honour her “beautiful son”.

She described him as a “wise old soul” who made friends easily and held a love for fishing.

Pictures of Byron Haddow shared at his touching funeral in Noosaville on June 23. Photo: contributed

Guests embracing each other after Byron’s funeral. Picture: Patrick Woods.

She said in the eulogy her son had enjoyed a lot of freedom from a young age, having started a rendering apprenticeship at the age of 15.

Byron moved to the mining industry at 21 and, in no time, become loved by colleagues far and wide as a polite, respectful, hardworking young man.

Chantal, in the eulogy, noted her son had a dream of settling down and starting a family, and he would have made “the best dad”.

Pictures of Byron Haddow shared at his touching funeral in Noosaville on June 23. Photo: contributed

Pictures of Byron Haddow from his younger years were also shared. Photo: contributed

“We hope you know how proud you made us,” the funeral director said on behalf of Chantal.

“We love you forever and always.

“We’ll miss you everyday.”

Byron’s father Rob opened his speech, saying he’d like to talk about his son’s humour, generosity and loyal qualities to give him a send off he deserves.

He noted he had taken in Chantal alongside the “three-year-old ratbag” Byron not long before his brother was born.

Rob said whatever he was doing, Byron, not one to stay indoors, would always be right beside him.

Picture of Byron Haddow and his father, shared at his funeral. Photo: contributed

Rob Haddow speaking at his son Byron's funeral in Noosaville. Photo: livestream

Shortly after the arrival of Byron’s younger sister, the family spent time in the Northern Territory where Byron’s passion for fishing “went into overdrive” and he became involved in sports and indigenous communities.

“He was a freak of a fisherman... he was so talented,” Rob said.

“He was becoming my fishing buddy.”

Rob noted his son was one to always “outfish” him.

He described Byron as a “workaholic” and, upon showing interest in the mining industry, soon took his son onboard his crew.

Family and friends during a guard of honour during Byron’s funeral. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Rob continued to share Byron’s growth in his mining career, as he settled in well in new places with new people.

“Hey Bizza, I’m going to continue protecting your mother, your brother, your sister and your best mate, your grandfather,” Rob said.

“This is not a goodbye mate, you will be in our lives forever.

“Byron, remember I love you, we all love you and we’ll also remember you.

“Byron, I wasn’t your dad but you were my son. I’ll love and miss you forever”.

Byron Haddow’s mother Chantal Haddow after her son’s funeral service. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Byron Haddow died while on holiday in Bali. Picture: Supplied

The funeral director went on to read out tributes from Byron’s friends and family, the first declaring Byron’s love was “loud, strong and always there”.

The tribute, written by a cousin, described Byron as a person who “loved to live life to the fullest” with a work ethic that was “unmatched”.

“Thank you for always lighting up every single room you ever walked into,” she wrote in the tribute.

“You will continue in my heart, walking with me in spirit through it all.”

The funeral director read out tributes from friends and family at Byron Haddow's funeral. Photo: livestream

A second cousin said she loved how Byron worked hard for his dreams, and he would be remembered as a “good, hardworking, respected young man”.

“You’ll never be forgotten, Byron,” she wrote in the tribute.

A third cousin said most of the memories she shared with Byron were the happiest she had, and it would “never be the same” without him.

“I will live for you, and as long as I live, so will the memory of you,” her tribute read.

A fourth relative said in their tribute Byron never failed to put a smile on anyone’s face.

“Fly high Bizza, I love you.”

Guests signing Byron Haddow’s truck at his funeral. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Guests forming a guard of honour at Byron Haddow's funeral. Photo: livestream

The funeral service concluded with a touching verse for the “top young fella just chasing fun” who touched the hearts of everyone he met, and who would be “forever 23.”

Guests were invited to form a guard of honour and carry different pieces - part of Byron’s life - laid upon his coffin through the procession, before signing the canopy of his ute parked outside the venue.

Originally published as Byron Haddow honoured in Noosa funeral after tragic, mysterious Bali death