Last week Albion Park Public School was rocked by the news that recently retired teachers Mr and Mrs Clancy were among the 298 passengers killed on the MH17 flight that was shot down in the Ukraine on Friday last week.

The service gave students, staff and the community a time to reflect and share some of their precious memories of the couple.

School principal Glenn Daniels said Mr and Mrs Clancy were “so alike they were almost one person.”

“The school has been so fortunate to have had two people who were so dedicated to their craft and their profession. We will miss them,'' he said.

“He was one of those people who always put himself into the background, he didn’t like the lime light, he was more than happy for the students to have that.”

Former principal Jim Cooper gave a heartfelt speech on his time working side by side with Mr Clancy.

“I was blessed with a caring professional person who supported me,” Mr Cooper said.

“Mr Clancy was not a tall or large man, but in spite of this, he was the strongest person I had met in my life. And he carried that strength - of mind and heart - to work everyday to help children and teachers.”

Four students each wrote a speech about their relationship with Mr Clancy and spoke warmly of their time with him.

“Mr Clancy was a constant part of our lives, no matter what,” a student said.

“He always knew what to say and when to say it. He cared so much about peace he forgot about his own needs.

“As we say goodbye to someone we love, we know that he will always live in our memories.”