The Essendon Football Club is mourning the passing long-time Essendon stalwart Ron Kirwan who died on Friday evening, aged 74.
Over a lifetime, Ron Kirwan was one of Essendon’s most loyal and dedicated characters.
"This is a very sad loss for the entire Essendon family," Chairman Lindsay Tanner said.
"Ron was a friend to generations of players, staff and supporters.
"He made an immense contribution and will be sorely missed."
As well a having lifelong passion for the Bombers, Ron was a generous Club benefactor for decades, a tireless fundraiser, a former Number One Ticket Holder, coterie member and Essendon life member.
On being announced the Club’s Number One Ticket Holder in July 2013 Ron said “I was seduced by John Coleman from a very young age and have been an Essendon supporter ever since. Originally I was a boy from the Western suburbs but fell in love with Coleman and saw him play on two occasions which turned me into a Bomber for life.”
Ron joined the Essendonians coterie in 1976 and maintained his membership for the remainder of his life. He was awarded Life Membership of both the Club and the Essendonians for his contributions. Ron was also a Life Member of the EFC Past Players and Officials Association and a member of the First XVIII coterie.
His contribution to the Club was recognised with the naming of two rooms at the True Value Solar Centre in his honour; the coaches meeting room was named The Ron Kirwan War Room and the player auditorium was named The Kirwan Auditorium at a function earlier this month. At that dedication 300 Essendon staff, players, friends and family were in attendance to acknowledge Ron’s contribution.
“Ron was a giver not a taker, and a great Essendon person," Essendon Legend Kevin Sheedy said.
"He has been the heart and soul and serious backbone of this Club for more than 40 years."
Mark Harvey described him as an “unrivalled supporter and mentor to players both past and present.”
Essendon Football Club extends its deepest sympathies to Ron's wife Sylvia, his children Sheldon, Andrea and Justin, his grandchildren Patrick and Billy and the wider Kirwan family.
