Former Antwerp resident Tim Newton passed away on February 25. A resident of Sydney until his death, his funeral will take place there today.

His family remembers him:

Last week we lost the most important person in our lives. He was the cornerstone of our family and we cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like without him. Our worlds will never feel complete again and there is now an empty space in our heart that only he can fill.

We are sure that everyone here today will agree about what an amazing person he was. He taught us some of the most valuable life lessons, values and morals that we will keep with us forever. We appreciate that he put us above everything, including his own needs to make sure that ours were always met. He made sure that we never went without even when times were tough.

Despite at times the thousands of kilometres between us, he was always able to provide for us all. He was always there when we needed him the most. It was clear that his kindness, empathy, compassion and love was limitless and it was shared equally amongst all six of his children.

Other than riding his motorbike one of his favourite things to do would be to spend time with his grandkids - they were his world and he was theirs. He was a proud grandparent to twelve children who all adore him and will miss him more than words can express.

Some of our favourite memories or messages for him include;

•Rebekah: You meant the world to me, always have and you always will. You are like my knight in shining armour, except your way cooler because you were always on your motorbike. All I ever wanted was to be in your world and be "daddy's little girl'. Forever in our hearts, mind, body and soul.

•Dwaine: The best memory I will have of dad is the joy and rapture in his face and voice as he held every one of my kids, I'll remember it forever. Another memory I have is late one night in Cabonandra dad woke me up and said "come with me the cow is in labour". We get there and after awhile dad looks at me and says "she's having trouble son, you are gunna have to stick ya arm in and help pull the calf out". I thought he was joking. That was one of the best experiences and I'm glad it was with him.

•Channon: I remember the times dad used to read us books by candle light using all different voices for every character - he made the stories come alive and made seeing the movies when they came out years later such a disappointment because we had the best storyteller around. Another favourite memory is when dad was our football coach in under 12s when we lived in Dimboola.

•Renee: I remember when I was in hospital after getting burnt and dad would have to come in every night because I would scream until he came. He snuck me out of the hospital once even though the nurses said he couldn't - but he did it anyway. I think to myself now, who will I call when I break down? I haven't got dad to tell me to call the NRMA or walk into the car shop that I've just got a flat tyre outside of.

•Derin: My dad means so much to me my whole life but the memory that stands out the most was when he would give up his Sundays to drive three hours each way for hockey training that would only go for one hour. Thanks for everything dad you are the greatest.

•Kahli: I don't think I ever told dad how much I appreciated all the little things like driving all of us kids around on a Saturday in the mad rush to get to all of our weekend sports. Seeing his smile when you walked off the netball court or hockey field whether you won or lost was so comforting - I especially loved the car trips home and he would give a play by play recount of everything that had just happened.

•Glynis: Tim didn't need much in his eyes, he had everything he needed; his family, his job, and the bike. We know that Tim is smiling with those beautiful blue eyes and feeling so blessed at having a full and happy life and having known you all.

We love you.