'I'll miss him everyday' - Memorial service held for Kevin Ivers who died tragically in Australia

A memorial service for Irishman Kevin Ivers, who tragically lost his life following a car crash in Perth Australia on June 9, was held on Wednesday in the town of Gingin.

Formerly of Pearse Park, Golden, county Tipperary, Kevin, who was in his 30s, owned his own earth moving business called Golden Plant Hire, a nod to his hometown in Ireland.

He is deeply regretted by his heartbroken fiancée Rhyllie, sons Sonny and Banjo, parents Richie and Ann, brothers Paddy and David, sisters Donna and Aoife, grandmother Bridget, brother-in-law Michael, sisters-in-law Emma and Sheila, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, relatives and his many friends in Australia and Golden.

A huge crowd gathered at the memorial service including friends and family of Kevin's who made the long and devastating journey from Ireland to say goodbye. 

"He was a great guy, he was funny, and his cheeky smile will be remembered forever," said the celebrant who welcomed everyone to the service and expressed his deep and heartfelt condolences for their tremendous loss.

"He touch so many hearts during his short life," he added.

"He was unique, adventurous and loyal, a loving partner, a devoted father, a son, a brother, a brother in law, an uncle, and a cousin too.

"No words can express the complete and utter devastation of what has happened, nor can anyone comprehend the enormity of such a tragedy," said the celebrant.

Kevin came from a big and loving family, his mother and father, Ann-Marie and Richard, along with his siblings, Donna, Paddy, Aoife and David spoke of the devastating loss and huge void that is now a part of their lives since losing Kevin.

His older sister Donna, stood bravely at the podium and spoke about her baby brother, how it was "wrong and unimaginable", that she is speaking at his funeral.

Donna spoke of how she watched Kevin grow from a boy into a man, how he was always brave, and though he was small in stature, he was big in heart.

She spoke of their childhood growing up in Golden, where Kevin went to primary school before going to Cashel Community School, and how they spent their days as children fishing, playing with their friends in the village and taking family trips to Tramore in the summer.

"His laughter was infectious," Donna said. "His smile could light up any room, he was kind and determined to succeed in everything he did.

"Being the baby brother was tough for Kevin, but he always made us proud. We just wish we could have told him how proud he made us all."

She went on to say how her brother loved Ireland, and never forgot where he came from, and how the last two weeks have been filled with sadness and sorrow, but all of the support they are receiving from their family and friends are making it bearable.

The service was filled with music and photos of Kevin throughout the years intertwined with words from those closest to him.

Some of Kevin's friends took to the podium to speak of how much they will miss him, struggling to keep it together, they remarked on stories about Kevin in work, one of the loves of his life, and how he had so much passion for what he did, how he would "take the shirt off of his back to help someone else", but ultimately, how he was a "true friend who will be forever missed". 

His adored partner Rhyllie, mother of his two beautiful sons Sonny and Banjo, was the last to speak about Kevin.

She spoke of how they met, how in love they were from the very start, and how amazingly devoted he was to their children.

"Kevin and I met 10 years ago at work, and were inseparable from the beginning", said Rhyllie.

She went on to speak about how they spent their early years fishing and camping under the starts, and all Kevin wanted was to have children, and a little bit of land to raise his family.

Rhyllie said when they had their first son Sonny, Kevin couldn't do enough and he was the "proudest dad". When their second boy Banjo came along, Kevin would talk about them to everyone he met.

Rhyllie said: "As a dad, Kevin was all in.

"Kevin truly lived large for so many things, his family, friends, work, but nothing came close to the love he had for his kids. Everyone who knows Kev, knows he lived for Sonny and Banjo, they always came first.

"I'm so proud of Kevin as my partner, and as a dad and I'll miss him every day.

"I don't know where we go when we go to the next place, but it makes it a lot less scary knowing you'll be there waiting for us."

Before the service finished, guests were offered sometime for reflection to remember Kevin and to celebrate the life he had lived while sprigs of rosemary were laid upon his casket as a sign of remembrance.

Although it was a life short lived, it's clear to see that Kevin's memory will live on through the family and friends that loved and cherished him so much, and his boys will always know how much their dad loved them.