‘I’ll see you in my dreams, Dad’ — family’s emotional tributes to Albany man killed in crash on his way home

An Albany mother and her two children say their hearts are in a million pieces after the death of Geoff Penfold, who was killed in a car crash north of Williams on Sunday. Tributes are flowing for Mr Penfold, who was travelling home from Perth on Sunday when his vehicle rolled and struck a tree about 10.30am. He died at the scene. A popular member of the Albany community, Mr Penfold had a love of cars, and speedway in particular, and he and son Ryan raced competitively. Mr Penfold turned 60 last month and had been in Perth to visit family over the weekend before the crash. His wife of 34 years Michelle shared a loving tribute to her lifetime partner. “Cannot believe I am never going to see your smiling face again,” Mrs Penfold said. “Absolutely devastated is an understatement — you were my friend, my lover and my rock for the last 34 years. “We raised two beautiful children together and they are in shock just like me. “Rest in peace my darling Geoffrey.” Mr Penfold was a mainstay of Main Roads and Fulton Hogan in Albany, and was a regular volunteer along with his family at the Albany Speedway Club over decades. Having spent so many weekends racing together, with his father as crew chief, Ryan paid tribute to his best mate. “My heart is in a million pieces right now,” Ryan said. “This man taught me life and everything I needed to know. “He was not only my dad but my best friend. “We did everything together, even if that was annoying each other, we still made it a great time and so many special memories I will cherish forever. “This still does not feel real and I can’t believe you are gone. “I hope you don’t get up to too much mischief when you are playing race cars up there, crew chief. “I love you, Dad.” Mr Penfold had spent time with his daughter Shannon at the weekend. “You’ve driven those roads a million times, how did (Sunday) go so horribly wrong that now we’ll never see you again?” Shannon said. “We left the house together, you gave me a hug, kissed my head and said, ‘see you next time kiddo’. “I’ll see you in my dreams, Dad. “Love you always — your little girl.” Former Albany Speedway Club president Kevin Theyer said Mr Penfold was a much-loved figure of the local racing community. “He was always eager to help and do his bit,” Mr Theyer said. “Geoff was involved in the club for numerous years and even when his kids stopped racing, he would be there to help with the track or anything we needed. “He will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to Michelle, Shannon, Ryan and his family.”