“miracle baby”.

He was born at 26 weeks – three months premature – and weighed just over one kilogram, which is one third of what most new born babies weigh.

Patrick had defied the odds and survived, but on Saturday, almost 18 years on, his life was cut tragically short after suffering what ambulance officers believe to be a cardiac arrest in his Bolwarra Heights home.

Like most Saturdays in winter Patrick, 17, had packed his bag to play football for his beloved Bolwarra-Lorn Bushrangers – a club he had been with for 12 seasons.

But at 12.30pm, half an hour before kick-off, the left-midfielder was not feeling the best.

Patrick started from the bench for his under-18s team, but lasted 10 minutes on the Bolwarra Oval playing pitch before heading to the sidelines.

His mother Jenny McFadyen took him home and Patrick went straight to bed.

At 4.30pm he woke up feeling sick.

An hour later, when Jenny went to check on him, Patrick had died.

“Across the four kids, there have been hundreds of times they have come home for a rest after sport,” Patrick’s father, Peter McFadyen, said.

Friends and family gathered at the Hilldale Drive residence yesterday in a show of support for the loss of a beautiful boy.

They recalled an adventurer and an academic with an opinionated personality and a cheeky grin.

Someone who was one-of-a-kind, someone who could talk to anyone of any age, and someone who was simply loved by all.

“Everyone loved Pat,” Peter said.

“He was the son every parent would want.”

Peter said Patrick – one of the quartet known as the Fantastic Four – and his younger brother Joseph, 7, shared more than just a room together.

“They shared a special bond,” Peter said.

Joseph made a card, which read “Patrick was the best brother”.

Patrick’s 13-year-old sister, Laura, and older brother Tom, 19, agreed.

“He was the best brother anyone could have,” Laura said.

“We were lucky we had him for 17 years.

“I knew I gave him a hug for a reason the other night.”

Patrick was planning to have a joint 18th birthday party with his cousin, 12-day older Justin Farrugia, in September before heading to Schoolies at Surfers Paradise after his HSC exams.

“He was my best friend,” Justin said.

The Year 12 student at All Saints College, St Mary’s Campus, Maitland, was midway through his half-yearly examinations.

The school has cancelled exams for today and in memory of Patrick an informal gathering of students will be held at the school’s chapel at 9am.

Autopsy results will also be released today.

Patrick’s funeral will most likely be held by the end of the week.