By Robert Muir
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Always the provider, always generous, always giving 110%, an icon, one-in-a-million, a big heart, a big smile - these characteristics of Sean McLarty were among those delivered at his funeral last Friday.
The man so popularly known as ‘Harry’ – who had just turned 44-years-of-age on November 15 – passed away on November 26 after a long battle with cancer.
Fr Steve Bohan conducted the funeral service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Yarrawonga. Fr Steve said despite all his health issues, “Sean always came up smiling…determination, self sacrifice, hard work, he fought the good fight, his inner strength and courage reflected on his whole life…always good to be around. He was a compassionate man.”
In delivering the eulogy, wife Maurz referred to Sean’s “honesty, humble nature, generous spirit, attention to detail, and love of people that drew everyone to you”.
“You put others before yourself and wanted for nothing but the simple things in life- a beer with mates, and wood for a very hot fire.
“Born in Sandringham and then finally settling in Yarrawonga via Tungamah, your life was never boring. You have touched so many people, and for that we will be forever grateful. You were one-in-a-million.
“Your passion in life was to make people happy. Nothing gave you greater joy than to make someone else’s day. Hospitality was your forte - from a waiter to a supervisor, from serving beers for a couple of people, to running weddings for hundreds of people; if others were happy, you were happy.
“No one was ever game enough to cook a BBQ in front of you, or even boil water for pasta. Your food prep and cooking tips were usually met with rolling eyes, most of us gave up, happy for you to take control. You were always the provider, always generous, and always happy to go without to ensure that someone else didn’t have to.
“You would often say ‘There is no point being the richest person in the cemetery’ – I can assure you he is testament to his own words!
“Your ambition and hard work in various other occupations didn’t go unnoticed. Once you had decided that you wanted to study Massage, you put your heart and soul into it; and boy, aren’t there lots of us that are glad you did! You worked so hard to build it into a successful business, SM Massage.
“The Wilby Cricket Club, the Lakers Cricket Club, The Tungamah Football Club. Let’s just call them your other families, families that you committed whole heartedly to.
“In all these clubs you became an icon - someone who gave 110 per cent to either your game or your commitments such as a football trainer.
“You were committed, hard working and reliable. Nothing gave you greater joy than hearing ‘G’day Harry!’ The people who you came into contact with through these clubs, became lifelong friends.
“Last year’s cricket premiership was an achievement anyone would be proud of; you managed to do it while battling cancer. “It took courage to play under your circumstances; your determination is something for us all to aspire to. If anyone could do it, Harry could. You were the pulse of C grade.
“Camping, fishing, burning wood, or a catchup over some beers, were some of your favourite hobbies. No one will ever forget your impeccable manners. Anyone who ever said ‘hey?’ was always corrected with a stern, ‘beg your pardon’.
“Everyone that came in contact with you, fell in love with you and your big heart. Your family experienced your big heart over so many years and for the family we created – our hearts are so full with the continuous love you gave us. Thank-you for choosing all of us. We have been so lucky.
“Every Thursday night without fail… Shed Night... What started as a way to warm up in the cold winter evenings ended up happening all year (thanks to Dave!!) He loved these boys like his brothers and the mateship they shared over the last few years, is something that I know Sean will treasure forever.
“Nothing gave him greater joy than seeing his shed, full of his mates.
“Although you managed to hide it quite well, you were battling an autoimmune disease for many years prior to your battle with cancer, the latter of which never eased up. For 19 months you fought the greatest of all fights, and up until the last couple of months you showed it who was the boss.
“Proud is an understatement. Hero is the word that comes to mind. You will always be a hero to each and every one of us. “The way you walked your journey during this time is inspiring. Not once did we hear, ‘why me’ or ‘this isn’t fair.’ In fact, you managed to make the road less bumpy for those around you.
“ ‘It is what it is, you can’t change it!’ Your summary of this particular journey. You had the most positive attitude in the face of illness, pain and death. You taught us all how to embrace the challenges life throws at us and what courage really means.
“Life without you, will never be the same but your philosophy will continue to remain in us all. “Life isn’t fair, it’s how you deal with it!”
“We are so privileged to be a part of your life. You are a legend! We could’ve never asked for a better friend, son, brother, uncle, cousin, father and husband.”Included in Sean’s Mum Judi’s tribute to the younger brother to Brian was: “Little athletics was an important part of Sean’s life. He really loved every event and excelled in most, but it was being with his friends that he liked the most.
“Sean was always an early riser, as he loved to do the paper rounds each morning. He would get up at 5am and ride his bike to the newsagent to load up his rack and head off around the area delivering papers.
“He often had two or three different rounds to do if someone hadn’t turned up. He really enjoyed a chat, (as we all know) and he was no different talking to the people who were getting their papers. They loved Sean, and he enjoyed their talks.
“Sean always loved being with his mates playing footy and cricket, just having a kick, or a bowl in the backyard. As a family we moved to Tungamah in 1993, and Sean fitted in very well with the country lifestyle.
“We have so many beautiful memories that we have been privileged enough to share with his family and friends. You will always be in our heart.”
Sean’s close friend Jeremy O’Brien said Harry was a tireless worker, a passionate and integral part of the Lakers Cricket Club and Tungamah Football Netball Club, a lover of a bonfire and beer.
“He was a big man with a big heart and the impact he had on all of us is a testament of the huge turnout here today. His empathy and gentle nature ensured that anyone who came into contact with him had only positive things to say about him. “He was a husband, a father but most of all he was a great mate!”
Sean’s close friend Josh Buerckner said he was lucky enough to play a lot of sport with Harry in their late teens, early 20s and whether he was coming in off the long run from near the goal square letting rip with the cricket ball, or covering his eyebrows with Vaseline as he prepared to run out on the footy field, you knew what you were going to get with him, 110 per cent.
“That was the way he was with everything he did, meticulous attention to detail and gave everything he had. He was a man of many talents.”
The funeral left the church for Yarrawonga Lawn Cemetery, via Victoria Park Cricket Oval where some 70 players formed a guard of honour, raising their cricket bats as the hearse did a lap of the centre wicket.
Sean was a good medium pace outswing bowler who could bat. Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club President Glenn Brear said Sean, as a youngster, played with Tungamah Cricket Club with plenty of potential and exuberance.
“When our comp went into the WDCA, Sean became a stalwart of the B and C Grades of our club in educating youngsters on how to play,” the president said.
“He had a mighty association with us, an absolute pillar in the game, instilling into youngsters the game doesn’t end until it’s all over.”
Cars then filled the length of Woods Road alongside Harry’s final resting place.
The funeral service was undertaken by Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services.