Our dad, Mark Anthony Sexton, was the heart and the humour of our family.

In 1994, he was paralysed in a car accident which could have been the moment that shrank all of our worlds, but instead, it was the moment that revealed who he truly was.

Through his own resilience, stubborn strength, and fierce loyalty to the people he loved, he kept going and he chose to fight for a full life, not just for himself, but for us too.

Because of this, my sister and I had a childhood filled with laughter and adventure and love and a constant reminder that circumstances do not decide who you are. He showed us what courage looks like, what humour and lightness can do in face of difficulty, and how unconditional love ripples outwards and reaches everyone.

From the seat of a wheelchair, he lived his life fully. He laughed louder, loved deeper, and built a life bigger than most people ever will. And we are who we are because he made the choice to bravely live this way.

He never asked for pity and never wanted anyone to worry about him. All he wanted was fun and noise and the people he loved around him, telling stories and laughing. He knew how to make life feel lighter, even when it wasn’t.

His passing was sudden and tragic. Even though he lived with health challenges for many years, I think we all believed he would live forever. Losing him this way has really broken us.

Alongside our heavy grief, we are now trying to navigate the practical realities that follow an unexpected death. As his daughters, we are working through the legal steps required to organise his affairs, as well as planning a service that allows his family and friends to come together and say goodbye.

These immediate legal and funeral costs were not something we had prepared for and covering these expenses has added financial pressure at a time when we are simply trying to process the loss of our dad.

We are asking for support to help us cover these expenses so we can focus on what matters most right now which is honouring our dad and being together as a family without worry or stress, like he would have wanted.

If you knew our dad, you know how deeply he loved his people. So if you’re able to give, in any amount, it would really help ease the pressure for us during this incredibly painful time.

If donating isn’t possible, sharing this page, or sharing a story about him, how he’s helped you or made you laugh, means a lot to us too.

The best part of the last few days has been remembering him and hearing everyone’s memories of him. All the jokes, and laughter, and kindness, and the way he made you feel, and the way he showed up for you. Please keep sharing these stories because this is exactly how he would want to be remembered.

While we are not ready for this new world without our beautiful dad, we are so grateful that we don’t have to navigate it alone.

Thank you for helping us remember him and honour him and support his passing in the way he deserves.

Courtney & Brooklyn Sexton