An "irreplaceable" autistic Auckland man who recovered from a violent attack in 2019 has lost his fight with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.
Bradlee Mackay, a much-loved member of his community, is being remembered by his sister Karlee Brokenshire for the way he "touched the lives, hearts, keys and car registrations of many, many people in his 27 years".
Mackay, a car enthusiast, spent many days in the suburb of Titirangi asking residents for their car registration labels and phone numbers. The NZ Herald report he collected a total of 40,000 registration cards.
The 27-year-old also reportedly attempted to buy and sell cars he didn't own on Facebook Marketplace and came close to representing Aotearoa in the Special Olympics in ten-pin bowling.
In 2019, Mackay was violently attacked after approaching a woman and man, who were never identified, and asking for their car registration in the suburb of Green Bay.
Brokenshire said "after a very sad Friday night" Mackay died during a prolonged seizure.
Brokenshire has set up a Givealittle page to fundraise on behalf of her mother, "so we can hopefully give him a send-off from the Titirangi RSA, his second home".
"It’s against my nature to ask for charity but seeing my mum struggle to think of ways to pay is breaking my heart."
On the Givealittle page, Brokenshire said Mackay had only turned 27 years old a few days before his death.
At the time this story was published over $11,700 had been raised, and some of those who have donated have shared their tributes.
"The loss of a beautiful soul in the Recreate NZ community. Rest in peace Bradlee," said one person.
"We will miss Bradlee. We used to give him our old car rego stickers," another remembered.
"So very very sad to hear this news. Much love to his family," wrote another.
