More than 600 people packed Leeton’s St Joseph’s Catholic Church to pay their respects to the man who lost his life after saving a seven-year-old girl on October 19.

Representatives from the trucking industry, harness racing, SunRice, stock car racing, emergency services, local schools and wider community were all in attendance. During the service it was said the 55-year-old father-of-three was put on this earth to save lives.

“We are all put on this earth for a reason and for Scotty saving the life of that little girl was the chief moment of his being here,” Father Tony Shipp said.

“The fact that he would ‘lay down his life for his family and friends’ like it says in the Bible has an ultimate and powerful meaning.”

Mr Ryan had, 20 years previously, saved the life of his brother Rodney after a fiery stock car accident.

During the service family and friends talked of Mr Ryan’s love of life and the dedication to his friends and family.

Niece Jessica Ryan delivered the

eulogy, saying her uncle had a great passion for people.

“He would help out anyone at any time, that’s just the type of person he was,” Ms Ryan said.

“He grew up on a rice farm, moved into the trucking industry and found his love of stock car racing and harness racing.

“Scotty loved spending time with his children Chelcie, Tommy, Lindsay, Peter and Luke, he was always out with us and always wanted to have a good time.”

Mr Ryan leaves behind his mother, Lettie, his three children and two stepchildren, six brothers and two sisters.

To some he was known as “the oldest teenager in Leeton” but he will be forever remembered as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.