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Michael Pearlman, a father-of-two from Canberra, is greatly missed by his family. Photos: Supplied.<\/p>\n
Just a month ago, family man and \u201cjack-of-all-trades\u201d Michael Pearlman was having the time of his life at his son\u2019s wedding in the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn his own words, it was one of the proudest days of his life,\u201d his daughter, Staci Pearlman, said he told her of the day his son, Ben Pearlman, tied the knot with Geo Fuentes.<\/p>\n
But, sadly, he will not be able to make it to Staci\u2019s own wedding later this year.<\/p>\n
Last weekend, the 59-year-old\u2019s life was cut short due to a car crash outside Batemans Bay.<\/p>\n
Michael was driving on the Kings Highway near Nelligen on Sunday, 21 June, when he died in a head-on crash with another vehicle.<\/p>\n
The driver and sole occupant of the second car, a 23-year-old man, also died at the scene.<\/p>\n
The love Staci and Ben continue to hold for their father was clear when they spoke to Region.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the type of dad who was always there for you,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe wanted to set us up for life the very best he could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Victoria, Michael spent most of his life in Canberra, had his two children with Natalie Pearlman before amicably separating and later started a relationship with Joanna Siecker. He and Joanna recently celebrated their eighth anniversary and had been planning to retire to Broulee on the NSW South Coast.<\/p>\n
He had been a real estate agent and had run his own food wholesale business before becoming a bus driver and trainer with Transport Canberra.<\/p>\n
Staci said he was a people person who was fun, optimistic, full of life and would always be there to help, no questions asked.<\/p>\n
She said he enjoyed teaching at Transport Canberra because he loved to help people and to be a mentor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was the father figure to everybody he could be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ben added: \u201cHe sort of adopted people on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Michael Pearlman\u2019s passion was going on motorbike riding adventures.<\/p>\n
Michael loved motorbike riding, and his trips with friends took him across NSW and around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was his big passion: going out on adventures in the middle of nowhere,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
Staci remembered he was a thrill-seeker who loved exciting activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not that person at all,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever he\u2019d go out to do something crazy \u2026 he would take me on the gentle version.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it was jet skis or even the motorbikes, he\u2019d just take me on a little putter and I appreciated that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The siblings also remember how their father would throw himself into any task, whether it was building a cubbyhouse, swing set, trampoline or table \u2014 even if he\u2019d never done so before.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just the kind of guy who was ready to give anything a go,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the biggest lessons his father had taught him, Ben said: \u201cIf you want to do something, do it. Don\u2019t think about it, just go do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Staci said: \u201cHe never judged anybody; I think that\u2019s one of the lessons I\u2019ve taken from him. He just had so much love for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael\u2019s family said police had told them the car crash was not caused by any of their father\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n
Staci said the loss was hard for their family.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really hard, but just knowing he was loved, it really helps,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n