Gavin Roberts’ kind, generous nature made an impact on family, friends and colleagues during his life; and in death he gave seven strangers the ultimate gift.
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Honouring his wishes, the family of the Kanahooka man consented to donating his organs after he succumbed to injuries caused by a head-on-collision in England last month.
''If you met Gavin for five minutes he became your mate, if you met Gavin for more than five minutes he became like a brother.’’
The 28-year-old lost his life on June 15 – four days after the crash – and the donation of his heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen and pancreas saved the lives of seven people, including a three-year-old girl.
Amid the terrible grief felt by those who loved him is an immense pride of who he was as a person, what he achieved, and of his enduring legacy.
As his parents Rose Joshua and Geoffrey Roberts, brothers Brendan Tuck and Nathan Roberts, and girlfriend Meg Williamson, prepare for his funeral on Tuesday – they remember a ‘’larger than life’’ character who inspired them all.
‘’Gavin was taken at a young age but he lived a full life and the impact he had on people was truly amazing,’’ his mother Rose said.
‘’It’s inspiring how one person can be such a light to others, and then to leave such a legacy that hasn’t even been fully realised yet.
‘’At the heart of it all are these seven beautiful people, people we hope can live beautiful and productive lives – and we know Gavin’s spirit is in them.’’
Even in her grief, Ms Joshua spares a thought for others – for the organ recipients and the young driver whose vehicle lost control, careering through the guard rail and into the oncoming lane Gavin was travelling in.
‘’When you go through tragedy, you can either choose to go down a path where you harden your heart ... or you can choose to go down the right path and open up your heart,’’ she said.
‘’My message is to have compassion for the other driver who’s only 24 and whose life has also been altered forever more.
‘’And for those who received transplants – one girl, six women and one man – I’m very aware these people grieve knowing someone had to die for them to live.’’
Gavin attended Hayes Park Public School and was the Year 12 school captain at Kanahooka High, before studying at the University of Wollongong.
He graduated in 2011 with a degree in electrical engineering, enjoying a gap year in the US before getting a job with engineering company Laing O’Rourke.
An offer from Network Rail in England proved too hard to resist, and he moved to Swindon five months ago, quickly settling into his job and meeting girlfriend Meg Williamson. He’d met her parents the night before the crash.
The accident occurred just before 10pm as he was driving to work for a night shift. He suffered a heart attack, fractured vertebra, cracked ribs and lung damage and was placed in a coma; which he would never come out of.
His family flew to be by his side. ‘’I feel comfort knowing that he always had someone by his side,’’ Ms Joshua said. ‘’And I’m so grateful he did not suffer.’’
A service of thanksgiving for Gavin’s life was held in Swindon on June 23, while Network Rail has named a specialist train in his honour.
‘’In such a short time he made such an impact on his workmates,’’ father Geoffrey said. ‘’That’s the kind of guy he was.’’
Brother Brendan added: ‘’If you met Gavin for five minutes he became your mate, if you met Gavin for more than five minutes he became like a brother.’’
Meantime Nathan – just a year older than Gavin – said he only ever ‘’brought joy and sunshine’’ to people’s lives.
On Tuesday, Gavin’s life will be celebrated at a 3pm funeral service at Hansen and Cole, Kembla Grange.
Meg has travelled from the UK for a final goodbye: ‘’We were together for three-and-a-half months yet Gavin had such an impact on people that if you met him for 10 minutes, it felt like you’d known him for a year’’.
Meg has started an online petition in the UK to call for the speed limit on the A34 dual carriageway where the crash occurred to be reduced and for speed cameras to be enforced.
Meantime the family is urging others in their situation to discuss organ donation.
Ms Joshua said Gavin’s decision was made a long time ago, with the knowledge her brother Paul Foreman had received a kidney transplant in 1968.
‘’He was the youngest person in Australia to have received a transplant at that time,’’ she said.
‘’Consenting to the organ donation of a loved one is the hardest decision, but one that may help you through the grief.’’
Relatives and friends of Gavin are invited to attend a celebration of his life at Hansen & Cole, Kembla Grange on Tuesday, July 5 at 3pm.
R.I.P Gavin you will be solely missed and It was such a honor to know such an terrific kind hearted person like you, thinking of you all x Jules, Tarrawana
REST IN PARADISE GAV. Till we meet again fly high big guy. Darren, Dapto
Absolute gentlemen and legend rip till next time we meet. Mitchell Taylor, Dapto
RIP fly high beautiful angel known you since my sis and you went to school together you will be dearly missed but never forgotten Ashley Kiely Warrawong, formally Dapto
I love you bro Kim Hunt, Oran Park
Rest In Peace Gavin! That contagious cheeky smile will never be forgotten xx Kacey, Horsley
Rest in peace Gav! You were truly an amazing guy who will be missed xoxo Jasmin, Dapto
Taken from this world too soon. You'll be very much missed Gavin. Xx Courtney, Dapto
R.I.P Gavin. You will be remembered. My condolences to all of your family and friends at this very sad and difficult time xox Rebecca, East Koonawarra
Gavin it was such a pleasure working with you. You were always the person that could lift the spirits in anyone. You have left us all too soon, but until we meet again, fly high buddy. My condolences go to Gavin's family & all that have been affected by our loss. #Hutcrew Courtney, Warilla
Rest easy gav! Untill we meet again! Will never forget your smiling face! Alana Dunwell, Dapto
Still changing lives hey. Its pretty hard to believe you're gone. You were one of the good guys and will always live on for many of us. Rachae Hanna, Lisarow
My friend my buddy my pal. Miss you more than words can describe. Jimmy, The world
Our sincerest condolences to family and friends during this sad time. Paniagua family, Dapto
R.i.p gav...we sure r going to miss u mate...thanx for letting me be a friend :) im sure all the angels in heaven r gonna love having u around...until wemeet again xoxo Tiffany Hayler, Willow Vale QLD
Love you brother. I'll never forget you and all the memories we had growing up. Miss you mate Platts, Adelaide
Gav you were a top bloke.. U will be sadly missed. RIP buddy. Much luv always xxx Moni Sinclair, Albion Park
Rest In Peace Gav, you are already so missed. Love to you and your family xxx Ebony, Dapto
Fly high Gavin. I will be forever grateful that I had a chance to know you. Gone but never forgotten xx Tamara, Albion Park Rail
Love you bro will be missed Todd McDonald, Townsville
Rest in Peace Gav. You were truly one of a kind! Thanks for the memories... ❤️ Charmaine Gibbons, Wollongong
RIP Gav the world has lost yet another of its shining lights. You knew how to make us laugh and smile every time you were around. Keep the party going for us up there xoxo Lauren, Berkeley
You were a true legend mate this world is truely less without you Joel Deans, Tullimbar
Sorry didn't know Gavin please accept my sympathy Brian Bowdidge, Carramar
Though I have never met you Gavin, you have touched my heart & the lives of the people you have helped to live on ... My condolences to your family and friends in this time of your parting....R.I.P Gavin Trish & Lauren, Gwynneville
R.I.P Gavin you were and will be the most kind hearted, genuine person I've ever met. Such an honour and privilege to know you from primary through to high school Canisius, formally Dapto
RIP Gavin one of life's greatest people sadly missed Stevo, Dapto
Rest in Peace Gavin x Kerryn, Dapto
R.I.P Gavin you will be missed, taken to soon. Till I see you again xxx Krystyl, Warilla
R.I.P Gavin I only met you once and your an amazing person, you touched my heart and so many other people. Sadly you have been taken way to soon. My condolences to the family of Gavin xx Jessika, Windang
May the person you were remind people to live light heartedly and life to the fullest. You will be so missed and always remembered as everyones mate and brother. Rest in peace knowing you have changed us all Sharnah Ristovski, formally Dapto
R.I.P Gavin u will be sadly missed fly high Jessica, Dapto
Taken far too soon! Such a fun loving person, you won't be forgotten Gav! Kirsty, Dapto
Rest easy mate. Im sure wherever you are now there are alot of cheerful people. Thanks for being part of my life buddy, you will be missed! Phil. Windang
RIP Gavin. No words can explain how sad to have known a amazing person like you passed away. May your family and friends aways remember the fun and happy guy you once were. Melissa W. Callala bay
RIP GAV! Always the happiest person in the room! Ali Dabros. Cairns
Gav you brought so much joy to so many people throughout your short lifetime. You will live on in many hearts and happy memories. You will never be forgotten. xoxo Kelly Mitchell Flinders
Sending love and comfort to the family xxxxx Robyn Walsh. Horsley
Thoughts and prayers with you. My heart weeps at such a tragedy. Anita Clarke. Primbee
Fly high mate.We'll be having a drink for you tomorrow. Rest in Peace Gav. Nat Wiggins. West Dapto
Thanks for being part of our life and for making it easier..."te queremos". Belén & Guti. Spain
We met Gavin just the once when we had the pleasure of having dinner with him and Meg.
The first thing we noticed was his beaming smile. The second thing was the obvious joy he had brought into Megs life as well as the countless others who had met him on life's pathway.
To have met him was to have known him. As a 'POHM' I agreed not to call him Bruce if he didn't call me Sheila! We got off to a great start - even if I didn't pronounce Cairns right!
To Rose, Geoff, Brenda and Nathan and his extended family I send my sincere condolences. It was a privilege to have been a part of Gavin's final days. I met a family full of love and faith and an understanding of the needs of others at a time of personal grief. David & Stephanie Williamson. Liverpool UK
You were my son's best friend, best man at his wedding but you will be forever remembered for what you did best - living life to the fullest and then giving the gift of life to so many others - never forgotten Robyn. Dapto
RIP Bromie. Gone but never wil you be forgotten. The good times will always live on in my heart. Love you xx Christelle. Camperdown
Such a beautiful soul taken way too early. Emma Camden
R.I.P Gav, taken way too soon.
Never forgotten. Amy. Kanahooka
RIP Gav it was an honor to have known you. Granger. Kanahooka
I remember Gavin shouting my friends and I hot chips down at port beach about 2003. We didn't know him, but we Will never forget his happy face and friendly personality. Jess, Port Kembla