Connor Remmerswaal’s life revolved around his love of the Geelong Football Club.
This was clear when the 14-year-old, who died four days after being seriously injured in a freak accident on his family’s property in north-east Victoria, was farewelled late last year.
“Connor’s coffin was surrounded with Geelong colours, balloons and messages, and throughout the service Connor’s great love for his team was displayed and spoken about,” recalled Helen Little, a chaplain at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, in a letter to the club.
“Following the funeral, the Geelong song was played and replayed as people formed a guard of honour down the main street of Nathalia.
“We Are Geelong was heard loud and clear, resounding throughout the township.”
Dealing with the situation through the final days of Connor’s life had been incredibly tough for his parents, Kath and Rene.
However, the family drew upon their shared love of the Cats for comfort.
“Following the accident, Connor was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where Kath and Rene spent the following four days by his bedside while he was fighting for his life,” Little explained.
“During this time, Rene proudly wore his Geelong jumper and spoke continually of Connor’s and the family’s great love of the Cats.”
After Connor lost his battle, Kath and Rene honoured Connor’s wish to donate his organs.
Reflecting on this extraordinary gift is particularly poignant right now, as this is Donate Life week, and stories such as this are vital in encouraging more people to sign up to the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The Remmerswaal family’s connection to Geelong also provided them with comfort during the process of donating Connor’s organs.
“When Kath and Rene were asked by the doctors if they would like anything special done when they were removing Connor’s organs, they requested that the Geelong song be played throughout the surgery and especially when his heart was removed,” Little, herself a Geelong member, said.
“It was a very moving moment that affected all of us.
“Connor and his family made an extraordinarily generous, life-saving sacrifice, and at the most poignant and important point in that story, they chose to celebrate their love of the Geelong Football Club.”
Kath and Rene will be guests of the club at the president’s dinner prior to the Cats’ game against the Sydney Swans on Friday night.
Everyone at the club hopes that their love of the Cats will provide them with a connection to Connor as they continue to deal with their grief in the coming years.
