There was hardly a spare seat at the Nowra City Church for Mr Morrison’s funeral.

He was killed and his wife Brenda, and their two daughters Lilly and Charlotte injured, when their car and a four-wheel-drive collided on the outskirts of Culburra Beach last month.

As requested, mourners wore bright colours instead of the usual sombre funeral attire - there was even the odd Santa suit and Santa hat.

There were plenty of tears, laughs and stories about a man who, along with his wife Brenda, raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Shoalhaven Hospital children’s ward through their Christmas lights display.

Celebrant Robyn Lenehan spoke of a man who had many strengths, had a big presence in local people’s lives, was a loving father and a great friend to many.

“Scott was an easy-going soul, who was always busy, always on the go,” she said.

“A person who genuinely cared about others, who worked hard, had a huge interest in his local community and liked to help people.”

She said he grew up at Shoalhaven Heads where attended the local school and later Bomaderry High. He then gained an apprenticeship at Nowra Truck and Tractor and later managed the Shell petrol stations in Nowra and Bomaderry.

He went on to become the state merchandise manager for Coles Express, and more recently had joined Integrity Real Estate as an office manager.

“He was a placid man, a hands-on dad, a man who enriched many lives,” Ms Lenehan said.

His wife Brenda said two-and-a-half weeks ago she lost the love of her life.

“We were returning from a great day, we had been at Callala at the beach, walking along the shoreline with the kids, it had been a beautiful day,” she said.

She said the word hero was often bandied around but she had no doubt her husband, in turning the wheel of the car at the last moment to ensure he took the full impact of the accident saved their lives.

“I’m not sure if he hadn’t done that if me and the girls would be here,” she said

“What you saw with Scott was what you got.

“Two weeks after I met him I knew he was the one for me.

“He always saw the good in people, was generous to a fault and would always help people.

“He was an exceptional dad.

“I will miss him terribly but I’m so glad I had Scott in my life.”

Proud father Graham said his son was known by many as “the Christmas lights man” and children from around the neighbourhood would start turning up from October to ensure he was again putting his lights up.

“He brought Christmas to life for many people,” he said.

“He had the ability to achieve his goals - just a genuine nice guy.”

Close friend Peter Russell said it was impossible to put Scott into words.

“In a world where everyone wants, wants, wants or takes, takes, takes, Scott gave, gave, gave,” he said.

“He would always go out of his way to help people, was a great mate and extremely dedicated to Brenda and the girls.”

Mr Morrison’s brightly decorated Christmas casket was carried from the service by family and friends to the strains of bagpipes played by Rob Parker.

The playing continued as the hearse drew away, complete with police escort and a rousing round of applause from the gathered mourners.