Brendon ‘Raggs’ Raggett’s wife Glenda on men’s mental health

The shattered wife of a Sunshine Coast rugby union stalwart opens up on her shock at the sudden death of the man who “made everything fun”.

The devastated widow of Sunshine Coast rugby legend Brendon ‘Raggs’ Raggett said she had no idea the man who ‘made everything fun’ had such dark days.

The devastated widow of Sunshine Coast rugby union legend Brendon “Raggs” Raggett said she had no idea the man who “made everything fun” had such dark days.

The father-of-three died on August 24 - less than a week after his 53rd birthday and a date his wife of 33 years Glenda said would be “engraved” in her mind forever.

Glenda said her husband’s death was “a huge shock”.

“He was just very loyal, I never had anything to worry about with him,” she said.

“He was just larger than life.

“He brought fun out all the time, he made (everything) fun.”

Brendon Raggett and his wife Glenda. Photos: Supplied

Both from New Zealand, she said they wed in their early 20s and had three children together.

She recalled how her husband made every Christmas special, with plenty of decorations and leading a tradition of the family wearing ugly, festive shirts at the Christmas Day church service.

“We made (Christmas) special because everyone else is in New Zealand, so it was just the five of us,” she said.

Their three children – a 20-year-old son, 18-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son – were his “pride and joy”, she said.

“I honestly didn’t even know he felt that way, in any way whatsoever,” Glenda said.

Brendon Raggett with his three children when they were younger. Photos: Supplied

She at a recent a celebration of Brendon’s life someone told her “(we) all knew he had his dark days”.

“He just masked it so well, and that’s the scary thing. I couldn’t tell,” she said.

“I thought we were in a good place, I thought we were happy.”

She recalled her husband appearing “robotical” during his birthday celebrations.

“I don’t know what was the final straw, and I never will,” she said.

The last time she saw him was the morning before he died, when she went to work, not knowing it would be their final goodbye.

Brendon Raggett.

She called for more to be done to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

She said one conversation may have helped save the former Maroochydore Rugby Union Club player, coach and president’s life.

“They need to sort of know there’s a safe place to reach out ... Whether it’s a friend or somebody they can talk to,” she said.

In the wake of the tragedy, Glenda said she had been “blessed” with unwavering support from the community, who were just as shocked as she was.

She said she didn’t realise how many lives her husband and touched.

A GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral costs and other expenses has raised more than $23,000.

If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call triple-0.

Originally published as Brendon ‘Raggs’ Raggett’s wife Glenda on men’s mental health