Father of Oatlands crash victim dies of cancer
Bob Sakr, 53, sadly passed away on Saturday after battling cancer for over a year and tributes are pouring in.
Sakr was the father of Oatlands crash victim Veronique Sakr, who along with her cousins Sienna, Angelina and Antony Abdallah, tragically lost their lives to a drunk and drug-affected driver whose ute hit the children as they were buying ice cream on February 1, 2020.
The devastating news was confirmed by Danny Abdallah, the father of Sienna, Angelina and Antony.
Sakr’s devout Maronite Catholic family have opened up about their grief and said that despite struggling with the loss, they are comforted by the thought that he will be reunited with his daughter in heaven.
“This moment is a celebration for Veronique Sakr, celebrating her dad's arrival into heaven, welcoming her dad into the kingdom of heaven, where happiness and joy never ends!” they said.
Sakr’s older brothers have also paid tribute and shared that they were still processing his loss.
“I am speechless at the moment,” his brother Norman told the Daily Mail.
“He was my youngest sibling and he and I were very close. At the moment we are exhausted and we're grieving,” he added.
Sakr’s brother David also shared that: “today was one of the saddest days of my life”.
“We put to rest my little brother Bob. In our hearts you will live on forever. 'You are now reunited with your baby girl Veronique and with mum and dad,” he wrote.
A couple of friends have also paid tribute to Sakr.
“RIP Bob Sakr. Until we ride again. You are in a better place and reunited with your Angel,” his friend Luigi Pelaia wrote.
Another friend wrote: “condolences to all the family, especially his son Michael. Resting with his daughter Veronique”.
Sakr’s funeral was held on Wednesday at Redfern’s Maroun Cathedral Church.
In June, Sakr took to social media to share that he had been battling with cancer for over a year and that he had approximately two weeks left to live.
“I am not one to bid farewell, but instead, I prefer to say, ‘See you next time I’m looking at you,’” he wrote.
Samuel William Davidson, the driver of the ute responsible for the tragic accident pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and charges related to injuries sustained by a few other children involved in the crash.
His initial sentence was 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years, but following an appeal that was reduced to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years.
Images: Facebook