The club has lost a great friend, supporter and character, Club Life Member Zane O'Connor passed away last week. After a significant illness last year Zane had been fighting to regain good health, during that time he was seen in his red Mitsubishi station wagon watching the home games at Bice Oval and continuing to support our club despite his health.I remember last year walking with Zane into the change rooms after a significant win and both enjoying the the club song, a moment I know Zane enjoyed.
Club Life Member Paul Charman has put pen to paper to share his recollections and respect for a man who will be sadly missed.
Some brief thoughts on Zane
I first met Zane in the early 1980’s when I started coaching Christies Beach Junior cricket and Alby was playing. Then when I started SDCC Alby played for them and Zane has been a constant at SDCC since then.
I have many memories of travelling to games of cricket with Zane all over the southern area and across Adelaide, mainly in his white Torana a car that was nicknamed Jesus because, despite the fact that the boot didn’t work, the doors and windows stuck and it stopped when it wanted to, Zane managed to fix all its problems with a large screwdriver and a few expletives. There are many other memories of Zane being at every game Alby and later Nugget played as juniors, scoring with his magic red pen, helping with the matting, helping at working bees and holding the fort at games whilst the rest of the parents went to the pub in the afternoon tea break. In later years he scored and managed for the seniors and was a regular at games on Saturdays and club functions.
Most of all there are memories of how proud he was of Alby and Nugget and their cricket. The one thing I have no memory of is ever having to ask him to help because if there was something to be done he simply did it.
Clubs and for that matter communities are built around people like Zane. He was justifiably proud of the significant role he played in the formation and development of SDCC in the early years when things were tough. We in turn are very privileged to have had someone like Zane at our club. Time may have dimmed some memories but as the founder of SDCC I have never known the club to be without Zane so it is going to be very strange to start a new year of cricket without the thought of Zane popping in on a Saturday for a beer and a chat. Condolences to Jean, Alby Samantha and Nuggett.
Zane will be farewelled at the Centennial Park Cemetery on Monday August 8th at 11:30 in the Heysen Chapel.
Vale Zane O'Connor
