A fearless teammate, a loyal friend, a respected officer and a loving family man - Tony Townsend has been remembered as "quite possibly the nicest bloke you'll ever meet" in a touching memorial after his death, aged 61.
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The foundation Newcastle Knight and police Chief Inspector was farewelled after a long battle with cancer in front of a crowd of about 2000 people at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday, where loved ones and colleagues shared heartfelt memories of the man they knew as TT.
Police formed a guard of honour from the stadium to Turton Road as the funeral procession left the scene in a sign of respect for their fallen colleague.
Townsend started his professional rugby league career with St George, making his debut in 1985, where he played alongside fellow police officers Pat Jarvis and Craig Young.
Prior to a career spanning 39 years in the police force, Townsend also served in the Australian Army. He spent the majority of his army career in Brisbane, but his commitment to rugby league didn't waver - with weekends spent driving from Queensland to Dungog for matches.
During his time in Queensland, he also played for Brisbane Brothers under the coaching of Wayne Bennett.
He joined the Newcastle Knights when the club formed in 1988, and scored the side's first try against Manly at home. After three seasons, he returned to the Dungog Warriors, where he finished his sporting career in 1998 with a premiership alongside his brothers Jason and Michael.
Former Knights teammate Tony Butterfield said Townsend was "a true Renaissance man... who would never say a bad word about anybody" and would be remembered for his wit, his compassion and his intellect.
His "never-give-up attitude" and toughness earned him respect from teammates and competitors alike, Butterfield said.
"In addition to his toughness, endurance and skill he was quite possibly the nicest bloke you'll ever meet," the former teammate said. "Which in the game of rugby league and sport, you don't see that often."
The year before joining the Knights and four years into his police career, Townsend joined the police prosecutor's branch, where Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said he established himself as "one of the hardest working, most dedicated police prosecutors".
In 2001, he moved to the Lower Hunter police command in a general duties role and went on to become Sergeant the next year. He remained with the command beyond its transition to Port Stephens-Hunter and became an Inspector and then Chief Inspector.
Superintendent Humphrey said Townsend was the same at work as he was on the footy field and with his friends - "reliable, dependable, committed, loyal, but above all other traits he was caring and compassionate".
"I defy anyone to show me the person who did not think Tony Townsend was a great bloke," he said.
His daughters Kaitlin and Lauren Townsend said they knew their father was revered in police and rugby league circles, but to them he was just "Dad".
"Even though you are no longer with us Dad, you will forever live on in my heart," Kaitlin said. "I am so proud to call you my father and will always love you Dad."
Townsend was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2013, but was given a second chance after a bone marrow transplant from his brother Michael.
"When dad was really sick, we would get calls in the night to immediately come down to Westmead Hospital to say goodbye," Lauren said.
"His courage and love for the simple joys in life sustained him."
Brothers Mark and Jason Townsend told those gathered of their brother's competitive spirit and leadership skills from a young age as well as his love for the country.
"We as a family and friends are incredibly proud of Tony," Mark said. "Of his police, football career and just his life in general."
"So just how do you remember Tony?" Jason said. "He was a professional employee, taking great pride in his work and having a real care for his fellow employees.
"As a teammate, he was a player that you wanted to be in the side with. You always knew with TT beside you that he'd give it his all no matter what game or team he was playing for.
"A loyal friend, Tony would always have time for a chat or wanted to help out someone in need, often to the detriment of himself."
Jason concluded that Tony was a "cherished" brother, a devoted son and a doting father and grandfather.
"One of a kind, someone who will be greatly missed, but never ever forgotten."
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
