CHRIS ‘Morgs’ Morgan was one of a kind.
“He was always happy and had a very cheeky smile that was infectious,” said his friend, Brendan Schrader.
“He loved everything outdoors and being with his mates, his daughter Mia and his family. He was a pleasure to be around.”
Mr Schrader’s partner, Alex Marks, said Mr Morgan, a fitter-machinist who grew up in Dora Creek and moved to Carrington, was one of the “most genuinely nice people I’ve ever met”.
The couple were socialising with their friend the night before he died by suicide, on December 23, 2017.
Ms Marks said “nothing had been the same since”.
“It was a shock to everyone and he has left such a big hole,” Mr Schrader said.
“It feels like it was a week ago and hasn’t really sunk in. There are 100 questions I wish I could ask him.”
The couple have organised an eight kilometre return walk from Speers Point Park to Warners Bay at 10am on Saturday, to raise awareness about the impact of suicide and funds for Beyond Blue.
Mr Schrader said it was important to check on friends who seemed strong.
“He’d recently got a job in the mines, he was earning good money, he was a young good looking bloke – he seemed to have everything going for him,” he said.
“Everyone’s different and no matter how happy people look on the outside, there could be something else going on behind closed doors.”
He said Mr Morgan had seemed a little upset in his last few weeks.
“I learned afterwards he’d put up some red flags to other people, but none of us thought it was that bad,” he said.
“Everyone was blindsided, no-one had any idea.
“We want to tell others, don’t be afraid to notice that someone might be upset.
“Get them to talk and see if you can help.”
The couple said they would reflect during the walk on how many lives Mr Morgan touched.
“Even if he felt alone in his last couple of days, we want to put out there how many people did care about him and love him,” Mr Schrader said.
“Hopefully it will save someone else, by encouraging them to look around at how much love they do have in their life and think twice.”
Chris Morgan is survived by his mother, daughter and friends.
The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show there were 2866 deaths by suicide in 2016, comprising 2151 men and 715 women.
Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
