As Nathan Roberts said a teary goodbye at the airport before his brother Gavin jetted off to start work in the UK early this year, the pair made a promise that Gavin would return home, no matter what.
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“It was going to be the longest time we’d ever been apart from each other,” Nathan said, speaking at his younger brother’s funeral service on Tuesday.
“[We said] no matter how many awesome friends you make, or lovely women you meet, no matter how much fun you’ve had, you’ve got to come back home.”
“We really wanted our kids to be able to play together.”
While that future has been tragically taken away after Gavin died in a car crash on his way to work in England last month, Nathan said his close sibling – only a year apart in age – would continue to make his mark on everyone he knew after helping “form the people we are today”.
The 28-year-old’s energy, sense of humour and knack for making friends was reflected in eulogies and photomontages, and in the outpouring of grief and support from the hundreds of people who attended his Kembla Grange funeral.
His father Geoff Roberts shared anecdotes of a bright young man always keen to make friends, travel, play sports and excel as an engineer which is what took him to the UK to work in Swindon on rail construction.
“In England he made friends easily with new workmates and housemates, continued his travel ambitions… but he didn’t forget the people back home and just about every day he’d be phoning people back home,” Geoff said.
“In May I was lucky to spend three days with him in Dublin, and that’s where he told me about the lovely young lady he’d met in Swindon.
“Life just seemed to be soaring ever higher for him, until this tragedy. But I have these and many more wonderful memories of Gavin, and that’s something that can’t be taken away from us.
“Let’s also not forget the contribution he’s made to other lives of seven other people who have received his organs, I just hope the rest of their bodies can keep up with him.”
Gavin’s oldest brother Brendan Tuck also spoke – telling of his family’s reaction to the shocking news of Gavin’s accident, but also of his brother’s lighter side: like that “funny little chuckle that we’ve all come to know” and his many nicknames.
“He had Gav Town, Gavino, Robbo, Pretty Gav, Handsome Gav, Koala,” Mr Tuck said, to a laughing audience, before pointing out his final poignant nickname.
“Gavin also referred to himself in the third person as Future Gav, he would say ‘Future Gav will deal with that, no problem, Future Gav will do that in the future’.”
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
One of the most thoroughly decent kids I have ever taught. turn Ed into a thoroughly decent man. your loss makes the world a little poorer Tim Goodsell, Figtree
RIP Gavin 🌹 you always will be remembered as a really nice guy, with a warm heart, I will remember the fun times we all had together, Erin, Rach, Jess, Ash, Amy, Ann and you xx Erin, East Corrimal
Rip gav, fky high my friend Micheal Hellyer, North Lakes formally Dapto
Whilst we weren't close, I remember Gavin from Primary School - the sweet kid with the beaming smile the grade below mine. Sounds like he remained true to that throughout his short life. Despite this tragic turn of events he lives on, through our memories and through the ultimate gift of life, having donated his organs to several others in need. Sincere condolences to Gavin's family and friends near and far at this difficult time. Gone but never forgotten x Lucy D'Amico (nee Laganà), Dapto NSW
RIP Gavin. I did not know you, but I have friends and family that knew you, and I can see that you were an incredibly decent man. Reading all of the beautiful tributes left the country and world over, you touched many lives, and have left this world far too soon. Rest in peace, and fly among the clouds. I give my sincere condolences to Gavin's family and friends. My thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time. Simon, Shellharbour
RIP Gav you bloody legend. We miss ya mate. Xx Boyd Barnes, Oak Flats
Gavin's energy and cheekiness were infectious and I was naturally drawn to his aliveness and spirit at a festival where we met. I can't wait to see him in our next life to finish conversations, dance and play. RIP my one in a million friend. You will always be loved. Julie-Anne, Coogee
I always hassled you to do your time sheets and you never let me down. You'll be sorely messed. Cass X Cassandra Murnieks, Point Frederick