The inspirational Mill Park teenager who touched the hearts of millions of people through his dying farewell on the internet, has been laid to rest today.
Almost 1000 people mourned Shaun Wilson-Miller, 17, at his funeral at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Community Centre, as tributes continued to flow in from around the world.
His father Cameron Miller spoke about the simple things that made his son special, but the global community remembers him as the teenager who thought about his family and friends before himself in a YouTube post that went viral.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the moving tribute to Shaun.
On the post, the teenager revealed his battle with heart disease saying: “I won’t be here for as long as I thought”. He died on May 26 after a second heart transplant failed.
His courageous post was only meant for those close to him as a final goodbye, but it has been watched by more than two million people.
Cameron Miller lovingly touched his son’s coffin before speaking. He said his son loved “simple things in life like watching Simpsons, Family Guy, the wrestling, honey and soy chips, Zombie chews, your Xbox, the mighty Bombers and of course, Facebook”.
He said the teenager – who was born with a congenital heart defect – was surrounded by people who loved him, including friends who were “amazed” at his positive attitude.
“They too have lost a great mate but they have gained a role model and a reason to aim high in life,” Mr Miller said.
Mr Miller paid tribute to his son’s girlfriend, Maddy, the “bravest girl in the world”.
“The gift of your love lit up Shaun’s world like no one else could,” he said.
“Once you were his girlfriend he said ‘ I have it all now’ and she ‘ticked all the boxes’.”
The HeartKids Victoria ambassador, died after after his body rejected its second heart transplant.
His father said in his son’s short time he had and would continue to continue to “spread his message of peace and love” to all.
The boy’s love of the Essendon Football Club was everywhere – from his red and black coffin and the Glen Funerals’ black hearse with a red sash on the bonnet, to the hundreds of red and black balloons carrying Shaun’s messages of hope released to spread his wisdom.
His sister, Ebony Hunter, 13, spoke of the love they shared.
“Roses are red, violets are blue. You will always be my brother, and I love you,” she said.
His girlfriend Maddy Florescue wearing a bombers scarf, said they met at “heart camp” seven years ago and when she heard of all his problems realised “I’ve got nothing to complain about”.
“Shaun, you never gave up on anything,” she said.
She said they cherished the last month they spent together, including the time they sat up until dawn in the Royal Children’s Hospital’s parents’ room eating pizza and chocolate.
“It was me who was lucky. My only regret is we didn’t have more time.”
The Reverend Margaret Hartley said Shaun had been compared to an angel who had been sent on a mission and now his job was done had to leave.
“He made the most of a short life and made a deep impression.”
His mother, Kim Hunter, cried as the pall bearers wearing Essendon ties, carried her son to the hearse, led by the Ms Hartley and brother, Brody, 8, and sister, Ebony.
His message was printed on cards: “I’ve had an awesome ride, so remember me and smile”.
Watch Shaun’s emotional YouTube video below.
