Catholic priest Father Paddy Sykes addressed the packed hall by recalling the 1998 movie Sliding Doors, which focused on the collusion of random events that changed the course of a person’s life.

His homily raised questions that all who attended have asked as they tried to comprehend the loss of a good man who was so full of life.

“What if Craig had been sick that day? What if he hadn’t have popped out in his vehicle?

“A young, fit, well-loved and well-respected man lost his life through no fault of his own,” Father Sykes said.

Symbols of Mr Smith’s greatest passions were carefully placed at the thanksgiving service; a Hawthorn jumper and golden football, a Cronulla Sharks jumper, and a Trivial Pursuit board game which signified Mr Smith’s love of playing the game with his family.

Friends and family spoke of a lifetime of memories that only added to the richness of the man who had “a heart of gold”.

Childhood school friend Phil Chapman recalled how as 13-year-olds Craig helped him and another friend when they decided to swim across a moving river in 1976, but underestimated its power.

“Smithy saved our lives that day,” Mr Chapman said.

Brother-in-law Cameron Mitter spoke about the love Craig and wife Tania had for each other, with all agreeing they were soulmates.

“Together 35 years, married 29; they encouraged each other to live life. Wherever Tania was, Craig wouldn’t be far behind, and the depth of love they had for each other was inspiring,” Mr Mitter said.

To nephew Harris Mitter, he was always “Uncle Bacchus”, who was great at catching waves at the beach and riding the scariest rides.

“One thing Uncle Bacchus taught us was to be fair. Not to leave anyone out. At Easter the older ones helped the younger ones find eggs,” Harris said.

“He really was our second dad.”

Blue Ribbon Financial workmate Ian Burkinshaw said the hundreds of texts, emails and phone calls they received, “marked the respect of the bloke that he was.”

“Smithy will never be replaced by someone more capable than he was,” Mr Burkinshaw said, before addressing Craig directly.

“Your sudden passing has left a void that will never be filled. All those lives you touched. Please know that you made the difference.”   

Mr Smith’s passion for football crossed all three codes; his years with the South Wagga-Tolland Dons and East Wagga-Kooringal Australian Rules clubs; player, coach, manager, captain, duty rep and bus driver for the Reddies’ touch football team; his love of the Cronulla Sharks, while also being a mad Hawthorn fan.

Former SWTD teammate Wayne Gardiner recalled “Snuffy” as a man who was respected by both teammates and opponents.

“He was all about fair play. He respected his opponents and never wavered from the rules of the game. Such was the integrity of this fine man, he would always give 110% of what was asked of him,” Mr Gardiner said.

The common themes of fairness, decency, and striving for excellence, carried through the years of Craig Smith’s life.

“His saying was, ‘no one would be left behind’,” fellow cyclist Ian McMahon said.

“Craig would often turn up with his shirt inside out as he got dressed in the dark as he didn’t want to wake up Tania,” said son-in-law Travis Fraser on Mr Smith’s gym life.

Xceler8 gym shut down its classes today in respect of their cherished friend.

Listening intently and smiling at the memories, Mr Smith’s wife Tania and children also spoke.

“He was the most selfless person ever known … he never complained even with the 2am pickup of teenagers,” daughter Kailah said.

“Dad was the softer parent and even when he was angry, he would always end the sentence with, ‘but darlin’.”

Spontaneous applause broke out as wife Tania finished the eulogies with the heartfelt statement: “He is my heart and my soul.”

A guard of honour stood as Mr Smith’s coffin was carried out of Mater Dei Catholic Primary School Hall, while Phil Collins’ song “You’ll be in my heart” and “One” by Irish band U2, were played. 

Mr Smith was killed moments after telling colleagues at Blue Ribbon Financial that he was “just ducking out to see a client”. A car travelling at speed hit Mr Smith’s car on Coleman Street just after 10am on October 23.