‘LOVED BY EVERYBODY’
Partner’s agonising task telling boys their dad died in crash
THE partner of the young father tragically killed when his car collided with a tree has paid tribute to a man “who would give you his shirt off his back”.
Billie Repia, 34, is being remembered as a loyal friend, a good father and a generous man who loved his two boys and his partner. Mr Repia died early Sunday morning when his car veered off a road in Gaven and hit a tree.
Julie Anne Marwood, his partner of 13 years, said she was struggling to come to terms with the loss of the “love of my life”.
“Billie was loved by everybody, everybody that knew him loved him,” she said.
THE partner of the young father tragically killed when his car collided with a tree has paid tribute to a man “who would give you his shirt off his back”.
Billie Repia, 34, is being remembered as a loyal friend, a good father and a generous man who loved his two boys and his partner.
Mr Repia died early Sunday morning when his car veered off Castle Hill Dr, Gaven and hit a tree about 2.15am.
It’s understood a male witness tried to pull Mr Repia from the car, but the fire was too fierce and he was unable to help the father of two. He died at the scene.
Julie Anne Marwood, his partner of 13 years, said she was struggling to come to terms with the loss of the “love of my life”.
“He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, just a humble person, who never expected anything in return. If you needed help, he was always there,” Ms Marwood said.
“Billie was loved by everybody, everybody that knew him loved him, he was contagious, you just couldn’t forget him.
“At no point in our life are you thinking about losing your partner in a car accident or anything like that.
“You think you’re going to be together forever, we’re best friends, we told each other everything and this happens.
“I don’t wish this upon anybody.”
Ms Marwood spoke of the heartbreak of having to tell her two young boys about the passing of their father.
“It was very sad, having to tell them their father isn’t here anymore, it was like I slapped the happiness out of them. You could see it drain from their face,” she said.
“They were so close to their dad.
“I didn’t want to tell them, but I knew I had to, it had to come from me, it broke my heart.”
Ms Marwood said the Parkwood Sharks Junior Rugby League were hosting a memorial fundraiser for the family at this weekend’s game, as the family had a strong connection through the boys playing there.
A number of Mr Repia’s family and friends took to social media to pay tribute.
Friend Phillip Henry wrote: “You will be missed. So many different memories of you and I growing up together. You showed me and many others how to roll as young bucks, taught me a lot more than I can write but loyalty, heart and how to stand up for myself and my beliefs come to mind a lot as I’m thinking about you now homie”.
Aubynn Davis posted: “Haven’t been this broken in ages … you were like a Big Brother to me. You gave me the best childhood someone could ever ask for. Rest In Peace ma bro, say hello to nana and papa for me”.
In less than 24 hours a GoFundMe page to support Mr Repia’s wife and two young children raised more than $4,420.
Mr Repia, originally from New Zealand, has strong links to his extended family.
Jerika Jade Brown created the fundraiser, writing in the “about” section that her sister’s life had been turned upside down by the loss of her partner.
“My sister’s world was turned upside down, her best friend, lover, husband and father of their two boys … tragically passed away in a car accident,” her post reads.
“He was a very loved father, partner, brother, uncle, cousin and friend of so many people.
“The loss of Billie is definitely going to be felt for a long time to come.
“As you can all understand she’s (Julianne) an absolute wreck and broken, her heart has been ripped out and to add to the hurt she then had to let her boys know what has happened.”
Ms Brown said she hoped the crowd-funding effort would help her sister grieve, while keeping the household running.
“Any amount will help them immensely. Along with all the costs associated with a Tangi (funeral) are the everyday worries of the utilities and rent and everyday living for her and the boys”.
Ms Marwood said the creation of the GoFundMe page was a “Godsend” to their family.
Forensic crash officers are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
To donate please visit www.gofundme.com/billierepia-5082018
HE WAS A VERY LOVED FATHER, PARTNER, BROTHER, UNCLE, COUSIN AND FRIEND OF SO MANY PEOPLE JERIKA JADE BROWN