Family says thank you and goodbye to loving Aussie larrikin

The family of Andy Heard at his memorial service at Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron, from left, Daniel Heard, Sam Heard, Jack Heard, Mickelle Geddes, Ben Heard, Erica Lang, Cathy Heard, Anthea Heard, Matthew Heard and Tim Heard.

WELL-KNOWN yachtsman Andrew Jack Heard has been remembered as a gentle soul with a thirst for adventure who lived life to the full and who had a special place in everyone’s hearts.

Family, friends and members of the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron came together on Saturday to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Mr Heard, affectionately known as Andy, after he was taken by a crocodile at Hinchinbrook Island on February 11. Mr Heard, 69, had been sailing the area with partner Erica Lang on board their vessel, Shiraz, before he took a smaller boat to go fishing.

A 4.2m crocodile, believed to be responsible for Mr Heard’s death, was killed and human remains found inside it.

Ms Lang said her partner of 15 years was “my hero, my rock and my everything”. “He was a gentle soul. He loved mother nature so much and nothing would stop the old soul from going fishing,” she said. “Andy believed also that when you take something out of the ocean, you’ve got to give something back. Keep things in balance. He looked after the weak animals.”

Ms Lang recalled their many adventures together that included visiting many islands “that others can only dream about”.

“We battled storms together. We embraced life, the freedom at sea and the beauty around us in the time we had together,” she said. “The day he disappeared his mind was set on fish for dinner. He left me with a wave, a smile on his sun-tanned radiant face and a twinkle in his eyes.”

Ms Lang said those who knew him now “must live on without him. Andy has a special place in everyone’s hearts. The void he’s leaving is enormous – deeper than any ocean.”

One of Mr Heard’s sons, Jack Heard, recalled memories of his father as a boat builder and “master craftsman”.

“Dad was an adventurous and at times outspoken Australian larrikin who loved to argue the point and push the boundaries,” Jack said. “Don’t be sad that Dad has died. I’ve never heard of someone else living a fuller life than our father, Andy.”

Jack said his father valued family and love in life over anything else.

“Dad getting cancer in 2009 was a blessing in disguise in some ways,” he said.

“It taught him what was most important in life. It’s not houses and cars, it’s about family, love and experiences. Getting back to nature and being immersed in the beauty of the world.”