![Stephen Death, Megan Kaisner and Riley Payne sharing their eulogies for Hayden Bruce. Picture: MARK JESSER Stephen Death, Megan Kaisner and Riley Payne sharing their eulogies for Hayden Bruce. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/127011937/f3a7a931-95c8-46cf-9b4c-5857c4675793.jpg/r0_239_4667_2873_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Hayden Bruce has been remembered by those who knew him best as a selfless man who always put the needs of others before his own.
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Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to 31-year-old Mr Bruce at his funeral on Friday, after his death in a plane crash near Canberra last week.
Albury's St Patrick's Church was filled and overflowing with mourners as Mr Bruce's brother Riley Payne described him as a caring, thoughtful and extremely entertaining individual.
"Although I know he had many things left to do, he had a happy, varied and giving life and he amassed one of the greatest assets you can have in life, his friends and family," he said.
"Everyone in Hayden's life was better off for having him there."
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Mr Bruce's father Stephen Death said one of the greatest moments of his life was the day that Hayden decided to "call me dad".
"Hayden has left a huge hole in his family and friend's lives. Many of you, like ourselves, are truly struggling with his loss," he said.
During the service a number of funny anecdotes were shared about Mr Bruce, exemplifying the positive impact he had on all those around him.
He was remembered as a born storyteller who "rarely allowed the truth to get in the way".
"Hayden was one of the greatest storytellers I've ever known, sometimes it was hard for us to interject when he was talking, because the story he was telling was so much better than the original."
Mr Bruce's partner Megan Kaisner said she knew straight away that he was someone she wanted to be around and get to know.
"One thing that stands out most when I look back on our short time together is how you always managed to lift up my mood," she said.
"You could be on the other side of the country but as soon as I heard your voice on the phone all my worries were gone."
Mr Payne said that as a child he idolised his older brother and that he always wanted to be a part of whatever he was doing.
"Hayden and I have always been best mates, but at a young age that was evenly balanced with fighting like crazy as I'm sure all good brothers do.
"Although he still had much to give and do, it's his love, kindness and character that the rest of us left will miss from our lives and those that are yet to come will not get to experience.
"My greatest sadness in Hayden's passing isn't just that we have lost a brother and a best friend, but that the world has lost a great human being.
"So everyone that is here today, I ask you to think of the great memories that you have of Hayden and make sure you tell them in true Hayden fashion," Mr Payne said.
Ms Kaisner said that everyone in attendance could take comfort in having shared a part of Mr Bruce's life.
"I am very grateful to have offered my love and received your love for as long as I did. We all love you Hayden, rest easy."
Tom Sheather, 18, was also tragically killed in the same crash that took Mr Bruce's life.
The pair were inspecting powerlines near Canberra.
- The Border Mail attended the funeral with the permission of family.