Volunteer Rural Fire Service (RFS) member Andrew O'Dwyer has been remembered as a proud father and firefighter as he was farewelled in a funeral service on Tuesday.
O'Dwyer, 35, was one of two New South Wales (NSW) RFS firefighters who died while battling the raging bushfires in south-west Sydney on December 19.
A requiem mass was held for the fallen fireman at Our Lady of Victories, a Catholic Parish in the Sydney suburb of Horsley Park where O'Dwyer's RFS brigade is based.
The 35-year-old leaves behind his wife Melissa and young daughter, Charlotte.
According to 7 News, RFS volunteers and representatives from fellow emergency service agencies formed a guard of honour as O'Dwyer's casket was driven to the church, with many colleagues saluting in his honour.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons addressed Charlotte before the congregation, tearfully telling the little girl how her father was a selfless man who only left because he was a hero.
Fitzsimmons also presented Charlotte, who was wearing her dad's helmet, with O'Dwyer's service medal.
Family members farewelled O'Dwyer as a free spirit who lived in the moment - and whose greatest achievement was his daughter.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Victoria's Emergency Services Minister David Elliot and federal Labour MP Chris Bowen attended the funeral service.
O'Dwyer and his deputy captain, 32-year-old Geoffrey Keaton, died on December 19 when a tree fell in the path of their truck, causing the truck to veer and roll off the road. They had been fighting the Green Wattle blaze near the NSW town of Buxton.
According to 9 News, the colleagues were both fathers to 19-month-old toddlers, who were born within two days of each other.
O'Dwyer had been volunteering for Horsley Park Brigade for 16 years.
Keaton's funeral service was held at an earlier date.
