Nathan Templeton’s generous charity work has been revealed at an emotional memorial in Geelong, where friends and family gathered in mourning following his sudden death last week.
During the emotional service, details of the Channel 7 reporter’s regular volunteer work with the Salvation Army, where he helped to feed the city’s homeless, were heard by his loved ones.
44-year-old Templeton, who is a father of two young boys, was found dead in a park near the Barwon River after suffering a medical episode early last Monday. A private ceremony was held in his honour on Friday prior to a larger memorial at GMHBA Stadium, the home ground of his AFL team, the Geelong Cats.
According to the Herald Sun, his wife, Kate Coghlan, highlighted his charity work as she spoke of how much he “valued community”.
“Whether it was the Aussie swimming or AFL communities, the Sunrise family, or his hometown of Geelong, he always tried to give back,” she told fellow mourners.
“Nath saw the Salvos as a gold standard of serving the community, so volunteering quietly for the Geelong Salvos Outreach Van was a modest way Nath felt he could help folks in the community doing it really tough, through no fault of their own.”
Among those in attendance to farewell the popular reporter were his TV colleagues, including Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew, as well as former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, and former Cats AFL player Cameron Ling.
Templeton had worked at Seven for more than a decade, appearing as the Melbourne correspondent for Sunrise as well as in roles for the sports department.
However, he had been working in a behind-the-scenes role over the past year.
Seven’s breakfast show paid tribute to him with an emotional segment last Thursday, including a montage highlighting his best moments on the show.
“We know you had more stories to tell [our viewers]. We are sorry you can’t tell them,” host Nat Barr said while fighting back tears.
“Our hearts go out to our family, your two little boys, Kate, and everyone who knew you inside this building and across the Seven Network.
“But also so many of you who have written in and just said that you felt like you knew him because of how he … How he conducted himself on-air.
“Thank you, Tempo, for brightening our lives. We are so fortunate to have known you and worked alongside you. You will be missed.”