Professor Chris O'Brien "fundamentally changed lives" and left a lasting national legacy in fighting cancer, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told mourners at the renowned surgeon's state funeral today.
After decades of battling other people's cancer as a head and neck surgeon, Professor O'Brien succumbed to the disease himself late last week.
Professor O'Brien's daughter Juliette described his final weeks as the worst of times, the best of times.
The worst, because their brave father was fast succumbing to sickness and fatigue; it was like being tied to train tracks, ahead of some unstoppable force.
The best, because he was able to spend time at home with his family.
"My dad was wise but youthful, respectful but irreverent. He had an incredible willpower but an insufferable sweet tooth.
"He was a leader, he was an equal.
"He demanded excellence of himself, but only wanted us kids to do our best."
To the end, he retained his wonderful sense of humour, even toilet humour, said Juliette, when the cancer was "playing havoc with his bowels".
Examples, she promised, would be reserved for the wake later.
First thing each morning her father would check his pulse, to make sure he was still alive.
He would joke with his doctors about their bowel movements.
He would claim to be on a "modified vegetarian diet, comprising fresh fruit, vegetables ... and meat".
At one crisis point, as he was trying to transfer from wheelchair to armchair, he and his daughter fell sideways, hanging between the town.
"As I struggled to heave him up, we both broke into laughter."
Juliette said the family pride in her father was immeasurable, the public reaction overwhelming. Together, they had provided a "glorious end to an extraordinary life".
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