Flowers and gifts arrived in a steady stream at the maternity ward of Wollongong Hospital yesterday as little Rhoden Roach Bannerman emerged into the world late on Wednesday night.
But it was a bittersweet day for Rhoden's mother, Skye Leonard, who lost her boyfriend and the father of her child in last Friday's tragic car accident in Unanderra.
Roach Bannerman, 19, of Brownsville, was one of three young men killed when a car slammed into a telegraph pole and burst a gas main on the Princes Hwy.
Mr Bannerman's father, Iain Bannerman, who was present at the birth and cut Rhoden's umbilical cord, said the baby was a beautiful reminder of his lost son.
"It is that little ray of sunshine people talk about in a bad storm," Iain Bannerman said.
But he had to couple the gift of his grandson's healthy new life with organising his son's funeral arrangements for Tuesday.
Mr Bannerman's funeral will be held at the Northcliffe Chapel of Hansen and Cole Funeral Directors, Kembla Grange, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked mourners to donate to Marty and Erica's Camp Quality convoy. A bowl for this service will be provided at the chapel door. The funeral notice also says "Please learn from this and slow down."
A date has also been set for the funeral of Farmborough Heights' Aaron Sinadinovic, 24, who was also killed in the accident.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at 9.45am at H. Parson's Funeral Home, Dapto, followed by burial at Kembla Grange Lawn Cemetery.
The funeral of Adam Nall, 27, from Oak Flats, will be held mid-next week at Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club.
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