A much-loved father, husband, son, friend and community member is being remembered after his sad passing last week.
Wayne Maloney, 62, was well known around Maleny and made a lasting impact through his job as a disability supporter worker.
A fundraising campaign has been launched to support Wayne’s family with funeral costs and ongoing expenses associated with settling his affairs.
“Wayne came from a childhood of adversity but he was still such a good person,” Wayne’s wife Bea said.
“That’s what struck me when I first met him in 2010 when we were both doing support work.
“He came from a very unstable family which led him to addiction. He worked hard to recover and had been clean and sober for 18 years.
“He had such a big heart. He used to volunteer to go into the prisons and talk about addiction.
“He said if there was a room of 50 addicts and he only touched one person, it would be worth it. He said that it was his service.
“Wayne worked as a disability support worker for 12 years. He worked with a nonverbal, highly-autistic man and always ensured he was well taken care of.
“Not everyone is equipped to work with someone with such high needs but any time the care provider was changed, the family always requested that Wayne continue to be his support worker.
“It wasn’t just a pay cheque for Wayne, he actually cared and advocated for this man.
“On Saturday, July 22, Wayne was having a drink with a friend at Maleny Pub when he had a serious medical incident and died before the ambulance arrived. It was very quick.
“He had a history of circulatory weakness and we think he may have had an abdominal aneurysm but we are waiting for the results of the autopsy.”
Bea said she was touched by the outpouring of support following Wayne’s death.
“I’ve always known Maleny as a close and giving community but I’m just so overwhelmed at the outpouring of support and kindness,” she said.
“We’ve received so much support not just from the Maleny community but further afield, from people that Wayne had touched at other times during his life.”
Wayne’s daughter Jessie also paid tribute to her father.
“I want to thank everybody for reaching out and donating what they have and supporting us,” she said.
“He was always a loving dad and he was always there. He cared a lot. I knew no matter what time it was, I could call him.”
The fundraising campaign page also gives a glimpse into Wayne’s character.
“He was a genuine, kind and caring man, and an exceptionally sharp dresser who always lit up the dance floor at Maleny Lane with his joyful dance moves, where he was often seen smiling as he lost himself in the music,” it says.
Bea also mentioned her husband’s love of music.
“Wayne was a gentleman and a gentle man,” she said.
“He loved music, he loved dressing up sharp, he loved dancing, he loved cars and he loved his family.”
Wayne is survived by his wife Bea, his children Jessie, Creadence, Simba and Zanzi, his grandchild Billie, his mother Beverley and his younger brother Darren.
You can donate to Wayne’s funeral fundraiser on GoFundMe.
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