No State Funeral for Steve Irwin
Thursday September 7, 2006
There was to be no state funeral for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.
Instead, a small, private funeral was to be held with a full public memorial within the next fortnight.
According to his father Bob Irwin, the family had decided against accepting the offer from the Federal and Queensland Governments of a state funeral for the much-loved larrikin who died on Monday after being stung by a stingray off Port Douglas in far north Queensland.
Pledging to carry on the conservation work of his son, Bob Irwin senior — after whom Steve's own son was named — said in an impromptu press conference yesterday: "The state funeral would be refused, because he's an ordinary guy, he's just an ordinary bloke. He wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke."
He said his relationship with his son was not so much that of a father and son as that of mates.
Bob Irwin senior is a widower, Steve Irwin's mother Lyn having died in February 2000 in a car crash.
Steve Irwin's body has now been returned to his home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Steve Irwin: Crocodile Hunter (1962-2006)
According to his father Bob Irwin, the family had decided against accepting the offer from the Federal and Queensland Governments of a state funeral for the much-loved larrikin who died on Monday after being stung by a stingray off Port Douglas in far north Queensland.
Pledging to carry on the conservation work of his son, Bob Irwin senior — after whom Steve's own son was named — said in an impromptu press conference yesterday: "The state funeral would be refused, because he's an ordinary guy, he's just an ordinary bloke. He wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke."
He said his relationship with his son was not so much that of a father and son as that of mates.
Bob Irwin senior is a widower, Steve Irwin's mother Lyn having died in February 2000 in a car crash.
Steve Irwin's body has now been returned to his home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Steve Irwin: Crocodile Hunter (1962-2006)
Comments
Although I disagree with Bob Irwin Sr., I believe his and Steve’s family’s wishes should be honored.
I think Steve Irwin was *not* an “ordinary bloke” as his Dad said. Steve Irwin was “extraordinary”
He will be missed.
My heart goes out to Terri, Bindi and Bob Jr.
I also disagree w/ Bob Irwin about not having a National State Funeral for Steven. He was so loved & adored by everyone here in the USA that it would of given many of us who still have tears a chance to say good-bye just as we got to w/ Princess Diana. Steve-O belonged to the world, not just the Aussies. I know Steven was modest & may have agreed w/ his father on this funeral but those who can’t afford to pay our repects all the way in Queensland could have by seeing him pass by on TV. I would at least have some closure but I still can’t find it.
To our beloved Terri, Bindi, baby Robert, Wes & your wife, Bob Sr…May all of the US wrap are arms around you & send love & prayers your way to help w/ the loss of your beautiful son, husband, father & best friend. We shall miss Steven forever. Bunnee USA