Tragedy struck his family on 26 October when his brother Patrick drowned in the Oreti River. He had played rugby for Britannia prior to their switching codes, and he later played rugby for the Athletic club. He and his two brothers (Ned and Michael) were crossing the river at Otatara to the flaxmill. The flat bottomed boat they were in was tipped over in heavy winds and rough water. Ned attempted to save him after diving into the water but he lost consciousness and "woke up in bed". It was described later that he had washed up onshore and needed to be resuscitated. The other brother (Michael) had dived in also but was not able to locate him. Patricks body was not recovered until around 4pm on 29 October. He was aged just 27 and left behind a wife and 2 children.