Coby Fechner funeral: Clubmates, family and partner pay emotional tributes to ‘fierce and kind’ friend

The partner of talented young footballer Coby Fechner has given a heartbreaking tribute to someone she described as ‘her whole world’ as family and friends gathered to honour a man ‘whose love could never be questioned’.

Coby Fechner in action for St Mary’s College Toowoomba.

Shattered by his death a fortnight ago, the Surat and Roma communities stood united by their shared grief and unwavering love for Coby Fechner at his funeral.

Friends and family spoke of a loyal and compassionate young man who drew friends and strangers close to him with ease.

He was remembered as a fierce footballer who loved coaching as much as playing and always put the needs of his team and club above his own needs.

The 23-year-old was also remembered as a son, brother and partner whose love for those close to his heart was unrivalled.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do because how do you say goodbye to your whole world,” Coby’s partner Phoebe Dean said.

“This is not how our story was supposed to end.

Phoebe Dean with the love of her life footballer Coby Fechner. Photo: Facebook

“We had plans, we had dreams, and now I’m left trying to find words for a love so big, so real, that it feels like it should never be spoken in goodbyes.

“I’m standing here with a shattered heart trying to honour someone who made life worth living.

“Coby was and will always be my heart, my home, my safe life.

“He was my once in a lifetime, gentle but strong, kind but fierce when it mattered.

“He loved me with his whole heart, never held back, not with me and not with anyone lucky to be a part of his life.”

Phoebe Dean with Coby Fechner: “He loved me with his whole heart, never held back, not with me and not with anyone lucky to be a part of his life.”

Scattered among the sea of muted colours worn by those mourning Coby were flashes of maroon, white and yellow, the colours of his favourite football teams worn by club members and footy mates.

Standing in a front of small ‘shrine’ covered in Coby’s precious keepsakes, including his beloved football club jerseys, his mother Wrnita spoke of a son who could forget birthdays but whose love could never be questioned.

Phoebe Dean: “Coby was and will always be my heart, my home, my safe life.”

“Our lives will be forever empty and filled with the utmost sadness with Coby,” she said.

“Coby always had a loving and compassionate nature just like his father.

“It was something I saw in him everyday.”

Wrnita finished a touching tribute to her son with a reading of one of the many letters Coby wrote to her.

Coby Fechner accepts his Southern Suburbs Tigers Best and Fairest Award. Coby’s life was celebrated at his funeral on Wednesday.

In it he spoke of his and his sister Eden’s love for a mother ‘like no other’ and how they could never truly express their love for all she did for them.

After sharing a specially written poem entitled A Brother’s Love A Burning Flame, Eden spoke of her love for her brother.

“Coby I love you in every single way possible,” she said.

“No matter what you did I was and will always see it as a privilege to be your one and only sister.

“I lost my brother but heaven gained an angle.

“I truly hope you and dad will look down on us to guide through every single day.

“Cobs I will love and miss you today, tomorrow and always, until we meet again.”

Originally published as Coby Fechner funeral: Clubmates, family and partner pay emotional tributes to ‘fierce and kind’ friend