Representatives from the Lions today attended a funeral service in Thornbury for Arthur Aylward who had been a respected member of the Club’s football support staff for almost 60 years.
Arthur passed away on ANZAC Day aged 71, after a long battle with cancer.
He originally joined Fitzroy as a bootstudder in 1964 and remained with the Club in an off-field capacity right up until his passing last Monday 25 April.
Today’s stirring farewell to Arthur concluded with the playing of both the Fitzroy and Brisbane Lions theme songs - music that gave him great joy throughout his life.
The Club is also saddened by the recent news of Lorna Duncan’s passing early this morning (Monday 2 May).
Lorna, 87, was a long-time member of Fitzroy’s Ladies Auxillary and spent plenty of her early years around Brunswick Street Oval. She was even present as a young girl at Fitzroy’s last premiership win back in 1944.
She remained actively involved in Club events post merger and, together with her daughters and grand-children, remained a passionate cheersquad member until the end.
Arthur and Lorna’s significant contributions to the Lions over a long period of time will never be forgotten, and their legacy will continue as Life Members.
The entire Brisbane Lions AFC extends its deepest sympathies to both the Aylward and Duncan families for their recent losses.
