Lindsay Cafe, affectionately nick named “Cafey” by his Dubbo rescue squad mates died suddenly on Tuesday.

Mr Cafe, 47, was a loving husband to Wendy and a father to Molly, 19, and Brodie, 9.

A diligent and hardworking volunteer for the Dubbo Rescue Squad for four years and a “fantastic” cast member of numerous DATS productions, Mr Cafe’s death has come as a shock for those who knew him.

A tribute on the Dubbo Rescue Squads Facebook page read “We have lost a great man today, RIP brother”.

Close friend and Dubbo Rescue Squad volunteer Anthony McEachern said Mr Cafe played an integral role in many rescue situations.

Most recently he assisted in the rescue of a woman who needed medical attention during Dubbo’s floods.

“He helped me in a swift water rescue for a female who needed medical help, she was stranded on the other side of the river,” Mr McEachern said.

“He was up to his shoulders in water with me; he was a great asset to the squad and sadly we don’t have another guy like him.”

Mr McEachern said his mate was known for his sense of humour and he smiled as he recalled the last funny thing he saw Mr Cafe do.

“He tripped over and so he turned it into a commando roll, all the boys were laughing and he turned around and said “I was meant to do that fellas”, Mr McEachern laughed.

“He took his job seriously and

he worked hard, there’s 19 rescue squad members still in shock.”

Mr Cafe was an upholsterer by trade; he then worked in security

at the Dubbo TAFE campus and spent the last few years as an officer at the Wellington Correctional Centre.

Wellington Correctional Centre’s acting general manager Scott Brideoak said Mr Cafe was part of the first local intake of officers to be recruited to the correctional centre in 2007.

Mr Cafe was made a senior correctional officer in November last year, he said.

“He was very well respected by all the staff members, he was a true gentlemen and was starting to move along in his career,” Mr Brideoak said.

Mr Cafe spent many years on and off as a member of DATS taking a lead role in the company’s production of “Aladdin” in 2000 and “The Merry Widow of Bluegum Creek” in 1999.

“He was a pleasure to be with on stage and he always looked on the bright side of life,” DATS member Warren Landsey said.

“Molly his daughter was also a very active member of the company recently.

“It’s a shock to us all,” Mr Landsey said.

“We are all extremely saddened by the news, he was a great bloke, one of the best I’ve ever come across, so down to earth and funny,” Dubbo Rescue Squad senior co-ordinator Bob Burt said.

“I was looking at a photo of him today when he started as a trainee with the squad”.

Mr Burt said Mr Cafe was an integral part of the squads driving awareness program which helped to educate people on safe driving practices.

“He was always willing to put his hand up to help out with the sessions,” Mr Burt said.

“He was such a valued team member this is a great loss.”