Marc Leabeater, who died after a crash at Caringbah six days before Christmas, had a zest for life that rubbed off on his many mates in the Cronulla surfing fraternity and beyond.
At 26, he had also achieved much in sport and academically, and a bright future awaited in other areas.
Mr Leabeater won surf lifesaving national and state beach sprint titles, played in the Cronulla Sharks under-20s and under-18s rep teams and had a brief stint in the Southern Districts rugby first grade side.
After attaining a tertiary entrance ranking of 94.6 at De La Salle College Cronulla, he studied at the University of Wollongong and University of California, gaining degrees in law and commerce.
On the day of the accident, Mr Leabeater conducted his first civil litigation mediation at the city law firm where his career as a solicitor was blossoming.
A week earlier, he had paid a deposit on a home unit and was planning a future with his girlfriend.
The accident between a car and a motorbike ridden by Mr Leabeater occurred on 10.40pm on Friday, December 19 on Taren Point Road, outside McDonald's.
Mr Leabeater was treated at the scene by an off-duty trauma doctor and a nurse but was pronounced dead on arrival at St George Hospital.
The car driver, a woman, 19, who was uninjured, was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.
Mr Leabeater was travelling to the Cronulla home where he lived with his parents Larry and Tania, and brothers Scott, 22, and Adam, 17.
The news, which spread quickly on social media, sparked an enormous wave of emotion, climaxing with a moving tribute at North Cronulla beach and the funeral service at a packed St Aloysius Gonzaga Church.
Mr Leabeater's parents were "overwhelmed by the amazing outpouring of grief, love and support".
"We just feel like we can never thank people enough," Mrs Leabeater said.
The couple said Marc's surf club association began as a nipper at North Cronulla, where he spent 12 years before moving to Wanda.
"He loved surfing and he made friends in the club movement around Australia," his father said.
"Many of the friends he made while travelling overseas and studying in California contacted us, and some attended the funeral."
The couple told how their son "loved life, lived it to the fullest, pushed boundaries and thought outside the square".
"He played the clown, but was organised to the last minute," his father said. "If he had 10 minutes to spare, he would use it for something, like a quick surf."
In his eulogy, Larry Leabeater said: "When Marc decided to do something, he threw himself into it, dragging us kicking and screaming along for the ride".
Scott Leabeater said in his eulogy his older brother had "dominated every room, every event, and every life of every person he met".
Marc's love for his family had extended to his "mum's brother's friend's sister's sons", he said.
Mum visits crash site
The crash occurred when a Nissan travelling north on Taren Point Road turned right into Koonya Circuit.
Mr Leabeater, who had spent a few hours in the city with work colleagues before heading home, was travelling south on Taren Point Road.
‘‘Police told us that night, after speaking to a number of witnesses, they believed Marc wasn’t doing anything wrong,’’ Mrs Leabeater said.
‘‘Marc owned a car, but he rode a motorbike to work because it was better for traffic and parking.
‘‘A few days ago, I went to the accident site because I was looking for a reason as to why it could have happened.
‘‘Being there made me feel worse because it’s such a straightforward intersection.’’
I was the luckiest girl, says his beloved
MARC Leabeater and Krupi Kapadia were planning a future together.
A devastated Ms Kapadia said they had been going out for more than a year.
"At first we were just friends and didn't want to rush things, but, seriously, it just happened," she said.
"When we were together, it was our time.
"I had never been with anyone so loving, happy and intelligent.
"I was the luckiest girl."
Ms Kapadia said Mr Leabeater was buying an apartment at Maroubra, near where she lived.
She said he had always encouraged her to enjoy the moment, saying "money can wait, but not memories".
Patrick George, senior partner at law firm Kennedys and a Burraneer resident said:
"Marc started with us in 2013 as a junior solicitor, and was very keen to learn," he said.
"He was also sharp, and over the last 12 months was starting to show he had real ability."
