Loyal, loveable rogue
STEVEN FAZEL
FORMER Australian Defence Force combat helicopter pilot Steven Fazel has been remembered as a great aviator, a loveable rogue and a friend who was always ready to lend a hand.
He was popular and much loved with more than a 1000 people attending his funeral service in Townsville earlier this month.
He died by suicide, aged 49, after years of suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and his family have a made heartfelt plea for more to be done to help people with the illness.
Steve was fourth son to Betty and Jeff Fazel and grew up in a loving family environment in Garbutt.
He attended Garbutt State School, Pimlico State High School and James Cook University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
He married Tracey Christian in 1994 and had a son, Baeden.
Steve was an accomplished sportsman, representing Townsville, Queensland Country and Australian Country in hockey.
He had his own style to everything — including wearing pink.
When he played hockey he had pink arm bands, pink headband and a pink grip on his stick.
He had pink speedos when competing in triathlons and a pink helmet while riding his bike in road races.
At 25, after working in a bank, he joined the Australian Army to become a helicopter pilot.
After two-and-a-half years at the ADF Helicopter School and serving in 162nd Reconnaissance Squadron he was deployed on seven tours to Timor-leste and Afghanistan.
In 2003 he was awarded a Force Commander’s Commendation for outstanding service to the Peacekeeping Force for the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor.
He received The Air Medal from the United States of America for his service in Afghanistan in 2008.
“Captain Fazel’s personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom,” the citation, signed by Jeffrey J Schloesser, Major General, US Army Commanding, says.
His Commanding Officer in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Humphreys, said Steve was a combat aviator and warrior who sought, not war, but to serve those with him and the nation as a whole.
Talking through the task with running commentary, he would lift everyone’s mood and get the laughter flowing, he said.
“I will remember Steven Jeffrey Fazel as the man in the arena, a loveable rogue of unwavering loyalty, a great pilot and a friend ever ready to lend a hand,” Lt Col Humphreys said.
A poem written by his brother Kerry, When The Black Dog Comes A Calling, was read at Steve’s funeral.
Another brother Greg said the family felt intense sorrow of their brother’s sudden and tragic loss and hoped his story could save others.
“We think there has to be more done to help people who suffer this illness.
“I don’t think giving them a pension and having them selfmanage themselves is the answer,” Greg said. “There has to be more done from the government side to reintegrate them into society.”
>> If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit lifeline.org.au/ gethelp, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636
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