Scores of friends, family and wellwishers attended a mass dedicated to Natan Darcy on Thursday at St Mary's Catholic Church in Mudgee less than a week since he went missing after a night out with friends last Saturday, November 2.
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Following an extensive search of Mudgee and surrounds, Natan's body was found and eventually recovered from a building in Mudgee CBD, according to official information from police.
Hundreds of messages of grief and remembrance have flooded social media in the last few days and a GoFundMe page has been set up in an attempt to cover funeral costs for the family. The fundraiser has so far raised more than $3000.
To remember Nate, his family has kindly shared a tribute with the Mudgee Guardian which we have reproduced below in full.
To our amazingly beautiful boy Nate.
Never did I ever think there would be a day that I'd be writing a tribute to such a sweet soul that I call my son. No words or feeling will ever describe the love we have for you nor describe how incredibly blessed we are to have you as our boy.
Just being you was the greatest thing you achieved in your life here with us. Because you were you, Mollie, Harry and Gus got to experience what it is like to have the most thoughtful, loving, caring big brother any kid could wish for.
Your Dad and I were lucky to watch so many wonderful years of you growing and becoming a man. As did Sal, Vic and all your extended family. You have always been surrounded in incredible love.
As they say, 'If you want your child to grow up to be anything, what you want most is for them to be kind.' And that, my boy you were.
You touched so many people around you and not one person has anything bad to say. People have said that you were always someone they could count on and talk to. They knew they could rely on that kind, gentle soul for support.
Over the years I have received so many compliments about the incredible young man you grew up to be. While they are beautiful compliments to us as your parents, it is more of a reflection of the person you are from the day you were born.
Oh, my darling boy, it saddens me so much that your time with us has ended like this. And I know - oh my god I know - that you are with us forever and always wherever we will be.
You will continue to be the amazing big brother, looking out for your sister and brothers for up above.
For me, you will always be with me, and my love for you will never die. We love you, so so much Nate and this is not really a goodbye, but a 'we will see you later, on the other side.'
Forever our boy. All our love, always. Mum, Dad, Sal, Vic, Mollie, Harry and Gus.'