"An extraordinary person" ... Christopher Branson. Photo: Supplied
Family and friends of top Sydney silk Christopher Branson have been left devastated by his sudden death.
His three daughters and ex-wife are preparing to travel from Canada to join his wife and younger children for his funeral and memorial.
Mr Branson, who represented a number of high-profile sportspeople and was an adviser to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Football Club, was a well-known and respected legal mind in criminal and commercial law.
His body was found at the base of cliffs on Sydney's northern beaches at about 11.30am on Friday.
His eldest daughter, Anastasia Branson, said she and her twin sister Lara, and younger sister Alexandra, 20, loved their father very much.
"The distance that we are separated from my father has had no impact on the depth of our grief," she wrote in an email.
"We visited Sydney all the time growing up, and he came here to visit us frequently, ensuring we were a part of his life."
Mr Branson's ex-wife, Susan Trylinski, who is a senior solicitor and barrister in Calgary, Canada, said: "Chris was quite an extraordinary person.
"I lived in Australia for 10 years and we had a remarkable life together.
"There was a lot of good in Chris. This is a tragedy. The man was very clever, and we produced three very, very able children."
Mrs Trylinski said she and her daughters were awaiting details of the funeral, and had been alerted to a plan to scatter his ashes in the sea that he loved as part of a memorial service.
"We are hoping to be there for that," she said.
Mr Branson represented a number of sportspeople, including ironwoman Jordan Mercer, and most recently former NSW planning minister Tony Kelly and solicitor John Gerathy at the ICAC hearings.
Police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances about his death, but officers would prepare a report for the Coroner in accordance with usual practice.
In an email to barristers sent on Monday morning, the NSW Bar Association told the legal community of Mr Branson's death.
"Members will be advised of funeral arrangements as soon as they are made available," it said.
Mr Branson was admitted as a barrister in NSW in 1975 and had been a Queen's counsel for more than 20 years.
In 1997 he was admitted into the Australian Surf Rowers League hall of fame and was also a legal adviser to Rowing Australia.
The Australian Surf Rowers League also informed its members on Saturday.
A minute's silence was held at the start of Sunday's Sea Eagles game against the Newcastle Knights at Brookvale.
Mr Branson represented the family of Sydney surf lifesaver Saxon Bird, killed by a surf ski at the Australia Life Saving Championships in 2010, at the inquest.
In September 2008, Mr Branson survived a major car crash, colliding head-on with a garbage truck on the Harbour Bridge.
After months in hospital and lengthy rehabilitation, he pleaded guilty to negligent driving that led to the crash.
Mr Branson was also fighting the suspension of his licence at the time of his death, having been suspended and fined after being caught exceeding the speed limit a year ago.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie, their two children aged 15 and 12, as well as his three adult daughters from his marriage to Mrs Trylinski.
Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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