BRISBANE - Rugby league star Johnathan Thurston sat in the front row as family members read touching tributes at his uncle's funeral south of Brisbane today.
Richard Saunders, 38, was bashed to death at a Woodridge park south of Brisbane last month.
Five men and four teenagers ofPacific Island descent have been charged with his murder.
Also paying respects at the service were Brisbane Broncos star Justin Hodges, Australian Test coach Ricky Stuart, league player Carl Webb and incoming North Queensland Cowboys coach Neil Henry.
The death sparked protests and created a rift between the Aboriginal, and Maori and Pacific Islander communities in the Logan area.
Priest at Acacia Ridge's Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church, Father Brendan Dooley, called for calm, peace and reconciliation.
"Many people are upset, even angry, but it's happened," Fr Dooley said.
Mr Saunders' sister, Deborah Thurston, said her brother would be most missed by his nine children.
"We've all lost a brother, the kids have lost a dad who can no longer hold them," Ms Thurston said.
"He has beautiful daughters who he'll never see grow up and he'll never get to see his son hold a football.
"He was a strong, remarkable man."
She said Aboriginal elders called Mr Saunders "Raindancer" because after he danced, it would rain for three days.
"He loved family gatherings, fishing and football, especially when his nephew was playing," Ms Thurston said.
Brother Robert Saunders fondly recalled how Mr Saunders had single-handedly won them a game of touch football, and how he would piggy-back his brother home from school on hot days.
"He lived for his family, his kids and his sports," he said.
"He was much loved and highly thought of.
"Good men must die but can never be killed, because the memories we have of them will live on forever."
