One of Tasmania's most dedicated and respected community volunteers was remembered yesterday as a man with boundless energy, a zest for life and and the ability to challenge himself and others to achieve great things.
A crowd of around 400 packed Huonville Bowling Club to overflowing to farewell Craig Saunders, 57, who died when the bicycle he was riding was struck by a car near Huonville on August 5.
The memorial service heard of a focused, organised and competent ourdoorsman - with remarkable a love of cake - who inspired many and passed on his skills and passion onto hundreds of people through his involvement with environmental volunteer group WildCare.
Mr Saunders was remembered for his confidence and sense of adventure, whether he was leading intrepid nighttime paddles across the D'Entrecasteaux channel, or tackling giant thickets of blackberry on remote Tasmanian islands or competing in 24-hour mountain bike races where the result was a far less distinct memory than the good time everyone that had.
Mourners were told he responded to any request for help with a sparkle in his eyes and the words ``I'll see what I can do'' and before long the task was done and done well.
That attitude saw him become an integral part in a diverse range of activities from the running of the local sea kayaking club, the organisation of of mountain bike races, WildCare and the Huon Valley Concert Band - which was on hand to play in his memory at yesterday's farewell.
Desley Saunders said her husband tackled everything with energy, purpose and passion, who filled his life with challenges he could not resist.
By way of example, she said he wanted a sea kayak, and ended up building boats not only for himself and his whole family, but helped many others build their own.
``Our shed was a kayak factory for a while, not only did he build our boats, but he inspired and helped many others as well,'' she said.
``His ability to have ideas and lots of them and to make them work was something I always admired about Craig. ,
``He planned to live forever because there was so much he wanted to do -- I'm sure he will live forever for those of us here today, in our hearts and in our memories.''
Son Rowan and daughter Amy remembered a childhood of bushwalking and cycling and kayaking while growing up and their father's spirit of adventure.
``I feel proud to had Craig for a dad and feel lucky he was always there to rely on,'' Amy said.
Tasmanian Sea Canoeing Club member Jenny Scott said Mr Saunders had inspired many people with his dedication to so many volunteer endeavours.
``I remember him saying once that if he got involved in something there was no point in doing it half-arsed,'' she said.
Glen Hywood from the Dirt Devils mountain biking club remembered a man who loved his cycling and had tackled everything from mountain bike racing to a circumnavigation of France.
``Craig rode his bike the way he lived his life, with passion, enthusiasm and energetic confidence,'' he said.
Police investigations into the crash which claimed Mr Saunders life are continuing.
On September 8, a group of cyclists will set out in his memory to complete the short ride he didn't come home from - a gentle return ramble up to Judbury and maybe beyond.
