R.I.P. Brad KNOWLSON

[Donunder]

It's a weird old saying, but it's true--- it's a shame you can't be there for your own funeral.

Brad would have been happy , but not unduly surprised I'm sure, at the number of people who turned up to celebrate his life and to give him the kind of send-off he would have appreciated.

The chapel overflowed. Brad's wife Margaret was the symbol of stoic acceptance, having seen her man fight the good fight against a foe that proved ultimately unstoppable. His beautiful daughters Louise and Toni gave a joint heartfelt account of their lives growing up with an obviously loved and well respected dad.

Back at Brad's impressive home high on a hill overlooking the waters of Moreton Bay, Margaret welcomed us all. We weren't mourners in the true sense because rather than dwell on the sadness of the day we chose to reflect on the happy and fulfilling life Brad had led, to remember with affection his constant smile and always upbeat demeanour and to count ourselves fortunate that we had had the opportunity to know him.

It was a fitting end to what had been a lovely day. How can you call a funeral lovely? And how can you be so happy on a day when at times you're on the verge of tears and you're saying farewell to such a great bloke? Well when you see such a good roll-up of his Cobra club mates indicating the high esteem in which he was held, and when you see that his daughter Louise has pretty much taken possession of his terrific car, and when you see that the family is determined to retain its links with the club, and when the final musical refrain as we were leaving the chapel was "Hey Little Cobra" by the Ripchords -- well it's kind of hard not to be....

It's been said a thousand times, but RIP Brad. We'll miss you.