Melbourne and the Football World mourn Jimmy Stynes

[mdemonski2 403]

Gone but never forgotten...

I had the pleasure of hearing Jimmy speak at one of the Reach events that I attended as a corporate volunteer.

He has left an amazing legacy to youth work and this program is absolutely inspiring to any of the youth fortunate enough to participate.

A great man who has left a sadness in all our hearts now but will always be remember dearly. RIP Jimmy.

[rjay 24,939]

An inspiration to all, RIP Jimmy.

[frankie_d 1,471]

Stynes - nothing more to say.

[Steve13 457]

Words will never be enough to pay tribute to such a man as Jim Stynes but there are a few things that perhaps for selfish reasons i would like to say.

Dearest Jim.

i only had the pleasure of you company on a handful of occasions, every time I bailed you up at games to chat about my and your beloved Demons you had time, time to listen, time to laugh and sometimes times time to hear my gripes. I walked away from every meeting with you taller and prouder to be part of the exclusive club of which we shared membership the Melbourne Football Club. Jim although you wouldnt have remembered me you somehow made me feel like a friend you had an amazing way to lift others and to make them feel special.

Jim Stynes you are one of the kindest most selfless human beings that i have had the pleasure of meeting, and on this sadest of days im sure that more than anything else you would of told everyone to celebrate life. That is what i intend to do, celebrate your life, a life filled with love, kindness, and and selflessness.

Jim you did not loose your battle and this is not the end of your jurney as you yourself put it, your memory and the gifts you gave everyone of us will live on through the many you touched.

Jim i thank you as a Melbourne supporter a Melbourne Member and most of all as a person.

I like countless others are better for have crossed paths with you throughout your time with us.

Rest now Jim knowing that you will always be remembered as one of the best.

[Dee-Bortoli 8]

RIP Big Jim

An inspiration to us all

[praha 11,240]

I truly, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, hope that his legacy has left an impression on this club. I really do. I am so uncertain about this club atm, and am a little lost in his death.

[Guest Gotzy15]

At a time like this it is hard to express my sorrow and grief in words. Jim in a world full of injustice, selfishness,celebrity glory seekers,corruption and the like you were a true hero to all. You gave hope to the hopeless,inspiration to people from all different walks of life and gave us a football club to support. We will never ever forget the contribution you made to our club as a player and administrator and your legacy will forever live on in the MFC. Any future successes will be owed to you!

[WuTangers 1]

A true legend and inspiration to all. A sad day for the MFC, AFL and the community. RIP Jim. You will be missed.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Would just like to pay my peace and respect to the Great Jim Styne's, i man who was not only a pioneer and a great footballer and football lover but an even more special individual outside of the football community.

Jim used his accomplishments and his footballing career to do even greater things for those who needed help, Through REACH. He was a man doing so much for so many and was sadly taken far far earlier than anyone could ever argue.

Thank you Jim you have changed the MFC and the world for the Better,

You will always have a place at the MFC

Respect

Callum

[pitmaster 3,561]

Knowing this was coming does not make its arrival any less sad or affecting.

We claim Jimmy as one of our own but he was bigger than football.

His work with young people and his courage in the face of adversity has touched so many.

Sympathy to his family. May they take comfort in sharing his greatness.

[McQueen 17,864]

Anyone who has not bought a membership for 2012. Buy it TODAY. Jim saved our club. Help keep that going. DO IT.

On top of my membership, I just went online to the Demon shop and ordered a Reach guernsey with number 11 on it. I was going to wait for the new guernsey's to arrive but decided otherwise. Sponsors will come and go but Jims legacy and the Reach foundation will endure. I guess it's some sort of tribute and a way of being close to a man who I never met but have always admired.

Thanks, Jim for giving so much.

[Hells Gates 505]

RIP Big Jim

An inspiration to us all

It was like you waited until you were satisfied that you got us on the right track, now you have let go and we are on our own to replicate, as a club, in unity, that fighting spirit that you will never be forgotten for.

We all love you and we will make you proud. Personally, it has woken me up to be a better person, to be nicer to everyone, theres no need to worry about the small things, a lesson that I will take as making the most out of my life as you never know when your time will be up.

Love to all his family.

[Macca 16,972]

Rest in peace Jimmy

A truly wonderful human being

You did so much for our club and for the Reach foundation .

Love to Sam and the kids and family .

Not forgetting family and friends in Ireland .

You left more than a couple of legacies . All of them great .

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting you I'll always remember you as a thorough Gentleman .

We will always miss you .

Edited March 20, 2012 by Macca

[deesrule 104]

RIP Jim a great Melbourne man and so much more

Few people can unite the football and outside world as much as you have

[Demon Disciple 12,152]

There are many things i want to say, but none could ever do justice to what Jim achieved in life. You of all people Jim, deserved to witness a Melbourne premiership. The club, it's supporters and the thousands of kids whose lives you helped, will forever be indebted to you.

Your presence made this world a much better place.

May you Rest in Peace for all eternity Jim. The bravest of Men.

My heartfelt condolences to all of Jim's family, wife Sam and particularly his 2 children.

Whatever it takes.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Demon Disciple

[1858 285]

RIP Jim and thank you for everything.

[45HG 1,539]

A sad, sad day.

Thoughts go out to Sam and the family.

A truly great man who will never be forgotten.

Thanks Jim.

[Maybe next year 170]

I remember crying as I watched Jim play his farewell game. I cried not only for I knew the day his career was coming to an end but in admiration for the man who was loved by so many people hightlighted by the many children from Reach providing him with a guard of honour. I find myself crying once more and for similar reasons. Not only because his days have come to an end but also in admiration for all he has done, not just for the MFC, but for the Community as a whole. I cry in sorrow but in celebration of a man who I never met but could relate to as one would one's own brother, father, son. Rest in Peace Jim and I hope you look down from heaven with satisfaction of a life well spent and a legacy that will never be broken.

On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last year and I sit at my desk at work (not doing very much I am afraid); tears in my eyes. No-one here can understand why I feel like I do. He is an inspiration and the message is clear - live for my family, live for the day, live life to the fullest.

God bless Jim's family. I admire you all.

[Striker475 696]

On top of my membership, I just went online to the Demon shop and ordered a Reach guernsey with number 11 on it. I was going to wait for the new guernsey's to arrive but decided otherwise. Sponsors will come and go but Jims legacy and the Reach foundation will endure. I guess it's some sort of tribute and a way of being close to a man who I never met but have always admired.

Thanks, Jim for giving so much.

Fingers crossed they do another run of them, I'll order one with #11 on it.

[DeeZee 7,397]

Jimma! A true enabler of the human spirit......legend

[Hatchman 539]

We will never forget you mate, thanks for everything you did.

You were an amasing and inspiring human being

[hardtack 10,547]

Fingers crossed they do another run of them, I'll order one with #11 on it.

Would be nice to see a special run of the green St Pat's day jumpers bearing the number 11

[Maldonboy38 6,403]

RIP Jimmy Stynes. I give thanks for your sincerity, your warmth, your glowing example of humanity, and your commitment to the welfare of others.

I've met a lot of people - leaders and followers - from many walks of human life. But few demonstrate the instrinsic goodness that Jimmy had. Even when his life circumstances were horrible he radiated a goodness that few people ever reach. No, he wasn't "perfect" but he made it possible to believe that people can be good, kind and generous.

He didn't teach life, he modelled Life with a capital "L".

Our club, city and nation is the lesser for his passing.

[M_9 2,082]

R.I.P Jim. You've left a great legacy. Condolences to Sam and all Jim's family.

[Vagg 2,439]

As the words of the song say, "Only the good die young".

Never have those words been truer than when applied to this very special human being. A giant of a man who came to us from the land of the leprachaun.

A VERY sad day!

Condolences to his family.