COAST WEEPS FOR JACK
THOUSAND MOURN STABBED TEEN
HE was the joker named Jacko – a cheeky teen with an even cheekier smile guaranteed to light up a room.
Jack Beasley, stabbed to death in a horrific attack on the streets of Surfers Paradise this month, was farewelled in an emotional funeral ceremony on the Gold Coast yesterday.
Through the tears and grief of a packed auditorium at the Southport Church of Christ, there was also laughter, as friends and family remembered Jacko and his zest for life.
Ceremony MC Ian Cousins told the 1000-strong crowd that the youngster had packed a lot of living into his 17 years, while family friends described him as a charismatic joker who drew people to him like a magnet with “a cheeky smile 24-7”.
“He had an infectious smile that would hit you like a warm ray of sunshine on a cold winter’s day,” said his “second mum” Kristi.
“Jack lived in the moment, enjoying it as much as he could before that particular moment was over.”
There was a softer side too, and he shared special bonds with older brother Mitch and parents Belinda and Brett, who has just had a tribute to his son tattooed on his arm.
The crowd was told how Jack would ring friends of his mum to get them to cheer her up if she was feeling down.
A passionate rugby league player and fan of the Queensland Maroons State of Origin team, Jack was a life member of the Helensvale Hornets rugby league club after playing his entire junior career there.
Dozens of Hornets players and members were decked out in the club’s colours, before leading an emotional rendition of the club song.
Hornets president Wayne Court said Jack’s death had hit the community hard.
“You certainly sold the house out,” he said to the huge gathering.
“The past 10 days have been extremely emotional, plus lots of anger and everything as well.
“He always liked to press your buttons but he could always bring laughter to your face.
“He was such a great kid and this is so tragic.”
Mr Cousins told the crowd it was hard to make sense of what had happened to a teen with so much life to live.
“We are shocked, scared and angered … at the unfairness that took him away from us,” he said.
“We seek to make sense of this … unfortunately, there are no easy answers.”
Four youths and an 18year-old from the Logan area have since been arrested and charged with his murder.
They will face court again in the new year.
HE HAD AN INFECTIOUS SMILE THAT WOULD HIT YOU LIKE A WARM RAY OF SUNSHINE ON A COLD WINTER’S DAY