Michael Pearlman, a father-of-two from Canberra, is greatly missed by his family. Photos: Supplied.
Just a month ago, family man and “jack-of-all-trades” Michael Pearlman was having the time of his life at his son’s wedding in the Philippines.
“In his own words, it was one of the proudest days of his life,” his daughter, Staci Pearlman, said he told her of the day his son, Ben Pearlman, tied the knot with Geo Fuentes.
But, sadly, he will not be able to make it to Staci’s own wedding later this year.
Last weekend, the 59-year-old’s life was cut short due to a car crash outside Batemans Bay.
Michael was driving on the Kings Highway near Nelligen on Sunday, 21 June, when he died in a head-on crash with another vehicle.
The driver and sole occupant of the second car, a 23-year-old man, also died at the scene.
The love Staci and Ben continue to hold for their father was clear when they spoke to Region.
“He was the type of dad who was always there for you,” Ben said. “He wanted to set us up for life the very best he could.”
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.
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.
Staci said he was a people person who was fun, optimistic, full of life and would always be there to help, no questions asked.
She said he enjoyed teaching at Transport Canberra because he loved to help people and to be a mentor.
“He was the father figure to everybody he could be,” she said.
Ben added: “He sort of adopted people on the way.”
Michael Pearlman’s passion was going on motorbike riding adventures.
Michael loved motorbike riding, and his trips with friends took him across NSW and around the world.
“It was his big passion: going out on adventures in the middle of nowhere,” Ben said.
Staci remembered he was a thrill-seeker who loved exciting activities.
“I’m not that person at all,” she laughed.
“Whenever he’d go out to do something crazy … he would take me on the gentle version.
“Whether it was jet skis or even the motorbikes, he’d just take me on a little putter and I appreciated that.”
The siblings also remember how their father would throw himself into any task, whether it was building a cubbyhouse, swing set, trampoline or table — even if he’d never done so before.
“He was just the kind of guy who was ready to give anything a go,” Ben said.
Asked about the biggest lessons his father had taught him, Ben said: “If you want to do something, do it. Don’t think about it, just go do it.”
Staci said: “He never judged anybody; I think that’s one of the lessons I’ve taken from him. He just had so much love for everybody.”
Michael’s family said police had told them the car crash was not caused by any of their father’s actions.
Staci said the loss was hard for their family.
“It’s really hard, but just knowing he was loved, it really helps,” she said.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
