A Hero's Farewell
A COMPASSIONATE man who made his beach his church and his home was farewelled by a 1000- strong crowd yesterday.
Denis Callinan was also remembered as a compassionate man who spent his life putting others before himself, during a packed funeral service in Miami High School's Great Hall.
His mother Joyce, sister Ann Rebgetz, brother Mark and nieces and nephews led mourners, including some of surfing's biggest names, at the ceremony held at the school where Mr Callinan was a student when his father, Bill, was the principal.
About 1000 people from the Gold Coast surfing community gathered to celebrate the dynamic life of the 'surfing solicitor' whose love affair with the waves transcended into his work in law.
The 53-year-old died on January 16 in John Flynn Hospital due to complications following a heart attack two weekends before.
Mr Callinan is recognised as raising almost $1 million for charity which included one of his greatest achievements, Surfers Against Nature's Destruction (SAND), an organisation that has consistently raised money for local causes since 1984.
His most recent achievement was establishing the Gold Coast Traffic Offenders Program to rehabilitate repeat offenders.
The course has gone from just five people in the first program to 80 people per class, with a total of 800 who have now been through the program.
Among those celebrating Mr Callinan's life yesterday were some of Australian surfing's greatest names including former classmate Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew, Luke Egan, Joel Parkinson and Mark 'Occy' Occhilupo.
Laughter joined the tears during several heartwarming eulogies from close friends and family who shared special memories of their time with Mr Callinan.
Lifelong friend, Association of Surfing Professionals president and former world surfing champion Bartholomew said his mate had become the people's champion.
"A hero is someone that can do things you can't, you put them on a pedestal and aspire to be like them -- Denis was a hero to me," he said.
Mr Bartholomew read out tributes from several people who could not attend the funeral including Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett.
Mr Callinan's niece Louisa Regbetz paid tribute to an uncle 'whose childlike youthfulness made him able to connect with all young people and a soul that will remain eternally young'.
His partner in law, Justin Moynihan, paid homage to a man dedicated to a cause.
"As Denis's partner, life was never dull. You could be forgiven for thinking that he set his diary and schedule by the swell, not by the clock," he said. "Above all, Denis was passionate about helping people and getting results for people rather than worrying about getting credit.
"He was content with the satisfaction of getting the job well done."
Lawyer Rick Jones spoke on behalf of the Coast's law community when he donned a Hawaiian shirt in honour of Mr Callinan and said 'Denis was not a good lawyer, Denis was a great lawyer'.
"Denis had experience not only in the practice of law, but life itself," he said. "Denis collected smiles rather than medals."
In honour of his memory, family and friends set up a website on which people could leave messages and tributes for their surfing saint. Visit www.deniscallinan.com
