Fireys recall a ‘genuine bushy’
A CORE member of the Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade killed in a car crash on Sunday has been remembered as kind and quiet “bushy” that would give you the shirt off his back.
Sean McMahon, 53, was killed on Burton Rd, Tinaroo on Sunday morning when his car left the road and hit a tree.
Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade first officer Les Green said Mr McMahon was a quiet, unassuming, community-minded man who was always willing to roll up his sleeves for his mates.
“In 1999 we only had about six members and Sean came along,” he said.
“He did about 12 years of active service and due to family commitments he went to work for a big farming company and (recently) could not do as much.”
The sheet metal worker by trade came to the Tablelands from Western Australia in 1997. The Channel Rd East resident worked in the hardware industry before taking on a role with Costa Farming.
“He was a real bushy, you knew when he was coming in his Cruiser because you would see the big Akubra,” he said.
A guard of honour in recognition Mr McMahon’s service was being organised.
Mr McMahon’s ex-wife Colleen McMahon said he was a true blue Aussie man. She said they only separated because she had to go to WA to care for her sick parents.
“We loved one another, we still do. We spoke Saturday night just before his death; we were still very close,” she said.
“He was a very special man, I have been so upset. We were very close, we never had an argument for 20 years. I loved him to bits.”
Forensic Crash Unit is investigating Sunday’s incident.