Kelly's dad farewells 'courageous' son

20 Jul 2012, 1:33 pm   -   Source: AAP
Family and friends of Thomas Kelly farewelled the 18-year-old at a funeral service in Sydney's west. (AAP)

Family and friends of Thomas Kelly farewelled the 18-year-old at a funeral service in Sydney's west. (AAP)

About 400 mourners have packed a small chapel in Sydney to remember Thomas Kelly, the teenager fatally punched by a stranger in Kings Cross.

A grief-stricken young boy collapsed as his schoolmate Thomas Kelly was farewelled at a funeral service at their western Sydney school.

The student fell to the ground and had to be led away by his mates outside the small, picturesque school chapel where Mr Kelly's funeral was held on Friday.

Inside, Thomas's grieving parents paid an emotional tribute to their 18-year-old son, who died after being punched in an unprovoked attack in Sydney's Kings Cross a fortnight ago.

His father Ralph said he was glad Thomas had spent a happy evening with friends on the night before his tragic death.

"Thomas was a courageous boy in both his life and his death," Mr Kelly told the service at The King's School in North Parramatta.

"The more I knew him the more I was in awe of his sheer determination."

Mr Kelly read out his son's final email, sent on Friday, July 6, the day before he was attacked.

Thomas told his father in the email that he was going to have an early night because he wanted to save energy for the next evening.

"Na, I'm not going out tonight," he wrote.

"I might be back a little later - just stay for a drink - but want to have an early night and enjoy tomorrow instead."

Mr Kelly said his son also spoke about what he was going to have for dinner and about filling out a tax form.

"I will treasure those last written words to me, written from my son," Ralph Kelly continued.

"Thomas didn't in fact go out that Friday night. He spent some time with his good friends from Mosman playing pool at The Oaks (pub) in Neutral Bay.

"In hindsight I'm very glad he got to spend some time with his good friends that evening.

"He would have spent his last night happy."

About 400 mourners packed into the chapel and heard a speech from another of Thomas's relatives, who spoke of the "unspeakable violence" that led to his death.

Earlier, King's headmaster Dr Timothy Hawkes said students were still reeling from the death.

"We are left wondering if it could just happen to any of us," he told the Seven Network.

Kieran Loveridge, 18, appeared at Burwood Local Court on Thursday charged with Thomas's murder.

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