The family requested this news not be broadcast until they had contacted family overseas and around the country.
To all of the people that have been praying and sending their wishes, my family and I would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks. It has been a really hard time for us all since Dad got sick, and unfortunately he lost his battle on 31st August 2016. Our family are both devastated and exhausted after giving Dad 24 hour care since his release from hospital last week. While we have attempted to contact as many people as we could directly, I realise that due to unforeseen events, that some of his friends and family have been made aware of his passing in a much less personal and callous way. I apologise to anyone who had to hear this news over facebook. It was not my intention, but this decision was taken out of my hands when people started to post facebook messages about what had happened. I have deleted and untagged as many posts as I can, but this is another strain that I feel should not be placed on my family or myself at this time. In order to prevent further distress, I have decided to post this tonight for anyone who is not yet aware. I don't believe that anyone meant any harm, it is just unfortunate that people did not wait long enough for us to contact everyone before expressing themselves on facebook. Please don't be offended if you have received this news over Facebook rather than a phone call. It was not intentional.
Dad's funeral details will be announced in the QT newspaper next week on Tuesday, or if you would rather, you can contact me by personal message if you wish to attend. Once again, my family extends their heartfelt thanks for all the prayers and support we have received to date. I know Dad also appreciated hearing the messages that were left for him by friends. He was a wonderful man to many, a devoted husband to his wife, a fun and lively Pop to his grandchildren, a loving father to myself and my siblings and a dependable and caring friend to so, so many people. He will be greatly missed.
From Holly Elliott.
Perhaps it is fitting that this news should reach you all on Jersey Day - the day when we recognise the importance of Organ Donation - the day when we remember the remarkable young 13 yo Nathan Gremmo whose donated organs went to six recipients who are alive today due to his commitment to other people and the courage of his parents to ensure his wishes were upheld.
Peter needed a Kidney transplant to survive, but unfortunately it was never to be.
Nathan Gremmo is known for one quote - which I feel was written for Peter as well.
“ YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, BUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT ONCE IS ENOUGH”
Peter was a great advocate for Organ Donor Awareness and was the instigator of an effort to have one NRL round each year dedicated to Organ Donor Awareness
We will do everything in our power to finish his work and bring this dream to fruition.
In the meantime check out http://www.jerseyday.com.au/index.html and do whatever seems right to you.
Replies
My thoughts are with you and your family. God bless
On behalf of myself and all at The Kennel, we're sorry to hear of the loss. Peter was great to all of us in the short time that we knew him. He happily helped with our troubles and helped bring our communities closer together. He will be missed greatly.
Earlier some of our guys talked about doing something for Drop Bear before we heard the news. We still want to do something. I'm not much for the organisation but many on the Kennel want to organise something where we pay tribute to Peter next season and the coming seasons in the Bulldogs Vs Eels games.
Here is the Kennel thread Ecca started regarding it:
http://www.thekennel.net.au/forum/index.php?threads/drop-bear-my-th...
Nice stuff, thanks Jacob, he loved you blokes and loved blogging over there, you all meant a lot to him.
You supported the mighty eels, champion in my eyes
#Respect
Fecking terrible news, Pete was a great man so if we do travel on after this life no doubt he's earned some great travels full of love and happiness.
Blessings and love to Peter, you made the world a better place and touched many mate, thanks for your kindness and understanding, you could always see the good in everybody mate.
I was having a chat to Peter about the kennel once, i said to him 'mate they are scum bags over there, wtf are you doing over there?'' he said to me 'snake they are just like us mate, theres no difference'.
Pete could see the good in everybody, even bulldogs supporters....he had a real soft spot for the guys over there.
I truely believed he would get his transplant, I'm so sorry he didn't, i know what he would have said 'that means theres one more for somebody else'.....always thinking about others.
In his passing he's left a gift for many of us, the gift of reflection, example, humbleness, courage, friendship, patience, Peter walked the walk.
May the roads rise up to meet you and the wind be at your back mate, all the very best on your next travels my friend.
Truely very very sad news, blessings and all the power to Petes family and friends.
I had the privilege of Sharing a few decent conversation with dropbear about life kids and footy ect.he was a great careing humans lets not forget that hopefully next seasons when we meet we all stand as 1 for him.
Peace love respect
We lost a great Eels man today, Pete really united two sets of supporters that hate each other, id love to see him honoured on the park with some black armbands, a rare honour for a fan but he deserves it.
Just been reading some of Drop Bears banter on the Kennel, it never occurred to me what a privilege it was speaking with him and just how courageous he really was.........
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