Tributes to Fred Patey: ‘best friend, loving husband, amazing dad’

Fred Patey’s family and friends have taken to social media to mourn and remember the much-loved husband and father of two, who lost his life when his ute crashed on Ophir Road at about 5pm on Sunday.

His wife of 24 years Susie said Fred was a loving and committed family man.

“We will miss Fred every single day,” Susie said of herself and her two sons.

“He was a best friend, loving husband of 24 years and amazing dad.

“Fred, you were one of the good ones, taken from us far too soon.”

Susie said the flood of support the family had received from the Orange community and others across the world since Sunday’s tragedy had been nothing short of amazing.

“Although this is such a tough time in our lives we are grateful and overwhelmed by the love and support we have received,” she said.

Fill in the form to leave your tributes for Fred Patey and read more below. 

Sorry for the loss of a great man my daughters rfs brigade were on the scene, to help – Dee

Words cannot express the loss of a loving, kind family man and friend. Only knowing this family for a couple years, they have became great friends of mine. Fred you will be greatly missed, especially picking Susie up on our running get togethers and a few drinks. Sore high above the clouds xxx – Leanne Jarman

He was a Great man and a great friend I work with him always up for a talk very sorry sad hear – Andrew Baker

Fred I am lost for words a good man taken far too early. Work won't be the same to not see your positive self. Condolences to your family through this hard time – Chris Scoins

RIP Fred. Our thoughts and prayers are with Susie and the boys. – Kovi Gounden

So sorry to hear of your loss Susie xx – Kim Morgan

Condolences to Susie and sons. – Gwenda

My condolences – Maria Hart

A great man, one who will be missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers to the family. xx – Dan

Sorry for your loss, Fred was a wonderful, caring man who will be sadly missed. A true gentleman – Mel

Sending our condolences to you and your family Susie. We are so sorry for your loss. Love From Guy, Elissa, Maddy & Zoe Chapman xx – Elissa Chapman

What an amazing man Fred was...sending all my strength & love to you Suzie & the boys. He will be in my thoughts forever -️Love you heaps xxx – Annette Clarke

Gorgeous, funny and devoted. You will be greatly missed. Your spirit lives on in your beautiful boys. xx –Meagan

To Jean John Hap & families & your beautiful family, we don't know " Fred" but the Patey family are so well regarded Community members of Lockhart.. We offer our sincere condolences to your loving family & are thinking of you all at this very sad time. – Ros & John Nimmo

Suzie, Joel & Blake, my love & thoughts are with you at this time. Fred was such a kind & caring man, qualities which he has passed on to his beautiful boys. I feel very fortunate to have known him. – Sue Brotherton

What a shock to see this, my thoughts are with you Suzy and your boys at this time. – Alison Ferguson

The Wilkinson family are so very sad for your loss Susie. Fed was such a wonderful man and he was a terrific dad to the boys. All our thoughts are with you. Much love. The Wilkinson's. – Steve Wilkinon

Sorry about the passing of Fred. Will be thinking of you Susie and pray for you  – Brian Langham

Our little laneway just won't be the same without our Fred. Having been a friend and neighbour for 15 years we are all now left with a huge hole. Our Hearts go out to Susie and the boys. – The Andrews family.

We've lost one of the good ones. Thoughts with Susie and the boys. – Amanda

Fred you will be missed by so many in the community. Even though I'm no longer in Orange the news of your passing was a shock. You were such an amazing person , father, husband and community man. RIP – Loretta Somerville

Fred, I will never forget our first conversation when you lifted your shirt up and said "well.. you've got this to work with", as a health coach, and then I in turn sent a photo of myself which made you and Susie both laugh. We got you off "Monster" and you became so fit and healthy but one thing stuck in my mind, you were doing it for you and your family. Fred, you were one of the good ones and you don't know how many lives you have touched xx I promise you that I will look after your beautiful wife and boys and be there for her always, as she is also "one of the good ones", I know she has made you proud but we will make you even prouder as you watch her grow. With Sadness and Love, RIP Fred xxxx – Shahn Evans

This is such a tragedy, he was a great bloke. Our thoughts are with Fred's family. RIP mate. – Peter Hempel 

So sorry for you tragic loss Condolences to you and your family  – Ian and Catherine Brown

What a top bloke i will miss our conversations FRED. Gone but never forgotten your family has my condolinces. – Peter Ezzy.

Go fly with the angels. May you RIP  – Michelle Phillips

Oh im in shock fred was a great bloke who i had the pleasure of working with as a security officer and fred was a great mate and family man you will be sadly missed by everyone. may you rest in peace mate – Chris Jones

Our expressions of deepest Sympathy Susie ,Joel and Blake – Brian and Joy Andrews

To Fred, From all of us at RRR. A sad loss, a much missed workmate and friend. Our condolences to Susie, Blake and Joel. Till "we see you again". – Ian Campbell

Dear Suzie and boys our thoughts are with you at this tragic time. – Lisa and David Firth

Fred was indeed one of the good ones. Susie, Joel & Blake my heart is breaking for you xxx – Racgel McCallum

It's a tradegy to have to let you go. You were and will always be a brother to me. Nothing was ever too much trouble for you. I am blessed to have known you and been part of your lives. You have a legacy within your sons. A wife that is a strong woman who I admire and is surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. Be assured Fred they will be cared for forever. Xoxox Miss you  – Julie

Yr 10 at sheahan have you all in our thoughts. Thinking of you guys constantly – Taylah guyer

Much love to you Susie and your beautiful boys xxx – Nicole Gray

Hi Joel so sorry mate to hear about the loss of your Dad. I have a heavy heart hearing this sad news. You and your Family are in our Thoughts and Prayers. Your sincerely Albert – Albert Cavalli and Family

Rip mate remember you from the pub days. Was a great doorman – Mick Beletic

Wow Susie it's been a long while so very sorry for your loss I am so sad to hear this terrible news fed you and I and all our mates back in the day had so much fun and laughs he was always a great bloke and I have and always will treasure those times – Nigel (Mal) Meier

Rip Fred . We will miss you .I Will remember the laughs we used to have while working . – Bruce Chick

So sad to hear Suzie, am truely sorry, gorgeous soul taken way to soon, sending love to you and boys xx – Georgie Vivers

Oh my gosh Susie I am so very sorry to hear about Fred. My sincerest thoughts are with with you and your boys and whole family. He was always such a happy person to run into. Way to young to leave. – Leighanne Ward 

Dear Suzie and boys our thoughts are with you at this tragic time. – Lisa and David Firth

Sending love to you and your boys Susie and to all the Patey Family. Pop, Harry and Angus.

I think you said it all Susie. Fred was a very lovely man who leaves a huge gap. So very sad that this should happen to such a beautiful family. – Donna Read

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss Susie.. thinking of you, your kids & family xxx – Renee, Jayden & Amy Campbell

Great Bloke will be dearly missed. - Thomas Green

Fred came into my work (IGA) as a frequent and memorable customer, with such a pleasant manner whenever he was in. Such a great man, so sorry for your loss. Sending our condolences from the IGA team xx – Hannah

Susie, our thoughts are with you and your family. We are deeply sorry to hear about Fred's passing. Our sincere condolences xx – Hugh & Leisa Vivers

I meet Fred when he first came to Orange many years ago, he was a wonderful young man and will be sadly missed by all. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his wife and children, and his many friends. – Helen Corby

Sorry for your loss, my love is with you Joel and your family during this tough time  – Jack McNamara

Stay strong, he's in good hands up there  – Nyibol Got

RIP Fred. It was an honour to know you at OAC. Taken far too early. Love to all those left behind xxx – Sarah Hooton

Oh big fella we are going to miss your larger than life personality including AC/DC at full bore. Rock em all night long up there – Sarah and Stephen Eyb

Myself and the team here at Echuca loved our nightly chats with Fred on the Buddy Calls, he will be sadly missed but not forgotten, condolences to Susie and the boys. – Kevin Townsend

My thoughts are you and the boys, So sorry for your loss, Fred will be sadly missed – Janet Howarth

I remember Fred from boarding school in Albury. A very kind person and also very funny. My sincere condolences to you and your boys along with all of Fred's family and friends. – Leanne Gryfenberg

‘Susie our thoughts and sympathies are with you and the boys. Fred was the nicest most gentle person and I will miss him at the gym. – Love Beth and Ian (Maclean) 

Fred was a lovely man who will be sadly missed. Such a tragic loss. – Raelene Flower

Loving Father & Husband to Susie and the Boys. R.I.P. Fred you are truly one of a kind. – Lorraine Covington

A great bloke, and a good friend. Bye mate. – Ian Taylor

Really sorry for you and your boys. Hope you find some strength to get through dark times. – Donna Jones

Thanks Fred for your friendship over the years. My heart goes to you, Susie, who I know he loved so dearly. Such a beautiful person. The loss is enormous. – Jenny Parrett

Condolences to the family xx – Doris Rossetto

So sad to hear this news. It's never good to hear about one of Scots family passing. I hope you use the wonderful memories you have of him to help you get through these dark days and into the future. It's the quality of the love and life he shared with you that matters not the number of years – Libby Mitchell

With a heavy heart, I send you , Susie and the boys my sincere condolences. Always in my prayers. – Ursula

This is a tragedy of huge proportions for any family to have to go through. I know with the love & support from your friends & family you will endure. All my love, thoughts & best wishes xx – Tracy Seears

So sorry for your loss. Stay strong and remember the good times – Maurice Steer

Absolutely shocked to hear of Freds passing. I've never heard any man express the love for his wife and kids the way Fred did. Condolences to Susie and the boys. R.I.P Freddy. – Rod Jessup

So sorry that we have lost you mate! Our prayers and thoughts go out to Suzie and your boys. We will remember you for your sincerity and decency. For your undeniable good-blokeness and that face you made when enjoying a good laugh. Eyes squinting, head nodding; not much sound initially but lots of teeth and love for the crew you grew up with. RIP mate! – Class of ‘84

Dear Aunty Jean, Alison, John and Happ and families, Sending you so much love as you make your way through the grief and extreme sadness that you will all be feeling. Thinking of you and big hugs to you all xxxx – Catherine Evans (Amery)