He was a hero to his kids - Ricki's final journey home

What was meant to be a 4-day return ticket to Samoa for our beloved Ricki, turned into a one way forever trip no one ever dreamt would happen.

It’s a nightmare we wish we could wake up from but unfortunately, this is the reality for the Seiuli family.

Ricki (41) is a family man at heart and it was that reason he reluctantly left his wife Bianca, his sons Blake (11), Roman (9) and his newborn, long awaited and precious daughter, Eve Rose (4 weeks old) behind in Melbourne, to support a family reunion he helped organise in Samoa.

Friday 27th December 2024, our world was turned upside down to learn Ricki had tragically collapsed and never regained consciousness. He is the eldest of three, and Ricki was a faithful, loyal, trusted, humble, kind, loving and caring husband, father, son, brother, cousin and friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Our thoughts and deep condolences are with his high school sweetheart Bianca. He and the love of his life, his beautiful Filipino wife were inseparable. They built a family, home and life together for 24 years. His little family are big league supporters and solid Melbourne Storm and State of Origin NSW fans.

At this unimaginable huge loss, we would love to support Bianca and her children. We’ve set this page up for all of Ricki and Bianca’s family, friends and colleagues who would like to wrap their arms around them during this devastating time.

Because this is an unexpected tragedy, understandably there are costs to getting Ricki back home from Samoa to his family to farewell and lay him to rest.

To ease the financial burden now left for Bianca on top of this profound loss, any donation you could give will be deeply appreciated.

Love, care and hold your loved ones the way Ricki did. This loss hurts and we are feeling the gravity of not having him around it’s truly heartbreaking.

Rest in love our beautiful Ricki, you’re irreplaceable. Forever in our hearts. Gone too soon