Irwins may turn down state funeral

news.com.au ^ | 6th September 2006

[naturalman1975]

STEVE Irwin's dad Robert has indicated the family may refuse an offer for a state funeral for his son because he was "just an ordinary bloke".

"He is just an ordinary bloke - he wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," he said at Australia Zoo in Queensland today.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

They better bury him in a croc skin lined coffin. He deserves that much.

[kinoxi]

Their wishes should be respected.

[NormsRevenge]

Here's to the family's wishes.

I bet he and Marlin are swapping stories about now.

Marlin Perkins

[Rte66]

Bless him! What better tribute than to be *offered* a state funeral and to have the humility to turn it down - for the very reasons his dad said. Good on 'em all!

[msnimje]

My son said today he would invent a time machine so he could go back and save Steve Irwin.

In addition to his family and friends, this is hard for so many children who enjoyed and looked up to Steve.

[saganite]

The Australian govt said the families wishes would be honored but I believe all Australians want to pay their respects. I can't think of a similar death in the US to campare this to in terms of it's impact. Elvis comes to mind but that's such a poor comparison. Erwin was a class act and a man who loved his family. Whatever the family decides I hope it's something that allows all Australians who want to show their respects a chance to do so.

[FreedomCalls]

My son said today he would invent a time machine so he could go back and save Steve Irwin.

I'm predicting he never gets it working, or ends up in some other time/place accidentally without the plutonium to fuel the flux capacitor properly because Steve should still be here if it all worked out, eh? Totally touching and cute that he would come up with that though. Perhaps he learned that optimism from watching Steve!

[FreedomCalls]

In addition to his family and friends, this is hard for so many children who enjoyed and looked up to Steve.

And many of us adults too!

[Aussie Dasher]

I hope Steve's family takes up the offer.

It will give us all the opportunity to pay appropriate and necessary tribute.

[verum ago]

this picture is now my desktop background:

[A CA Guy]

So can't and ordinary guy who is loved by the world become worthy of a state funeral where the world can say good bye?

[Huntress]

Thanks for posting that pic. I grew up watching "Wild Kingdom."

[Drammach]

I grew up watching "Wild Kingdom."

That's " Prudential of Omaha's Wild Kingdom"...

Goldingdabnabit...

( Got A mind like a steel trap.. Yes, I do.. )

[The Red Zone]

Died with a smile on his lips and a fish in his heart.

[Razz Barry]

So can't and ordinary guy who is loved by the world become worthy of a state funeral where the world can say good bye?

Funerals are really for the living, so I'd say yes. But, I guess, it should be for the family to decide.

[stormer]

"Got A mind like a steel trap.. Yes, I do.."

You may want to oil that trap; the show was called Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

[Jeff Chandler]

"Live by the swordfish, die by the swordfish."

[The Red Zone]

moo-choo-all of oh-ma-ha, they're pee-pul, you can count on when the goin's rou-ou-ough...

steel SIEVE?

[Rte66]

Hi AD - I wanted to let you know that Queensland is taking emails of condolence to send to Terri, Bindi, Bob and Bob. That's here:

http://www.qld.gov.au/announcements/steve_irwin.html#sendmessage


Also wanted to tell you that here in Houston, TX, the Australian Consulate is having a guestbook open for signing by Houstonians for the next three days and they will send it to the Irwin family.

I haven't posted that here and haven't seen any FReepers posting that they will be having one in their city. Maybe I'll do another post about that. Just wanted you to know - as if you couldn't tell! - how beloved your larrikin bushman was here in Texas!