No State Funeral For Crocodile Hunter

Steve Irwin's Family: He'd Want To Be Remembered As 'Ordinary Bloke'

(CBS/AP)  "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, killed in a freak stingray attack this week, would not have accepted a state funeral because he wanted to be remembered as "an ordinary bloke," the TV star's father said Wednesday.

Australian Broadcasting reports Irwin's wife, Terri, has turned down the offer of a state funeral.

In the first public comments by Irwin's family since the hugely popular naturalist died Monday, Bob Irwin thanked his son's many fans for their messages of support, and said his son had died doing what he loved.

The 44-year-old TV star was on camera for a new program as he snorkeled with a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef, when it lashed out with its tail, plunging a poisonous barb into his chest. Irwin died minutes later.

Separately Wednesday, Irwin's manager and close friend John Stainton said videotape showing him being fatally stabbed should never be publicly aired.

"It should be destroyed," Stainton, who has seen the footage and said it showed Irwin pulling the barb from his chest in his last moments, told CNN's "Larry King Live."

The tape is now in the possession of police as evidence for a coroner.

"When that is finally released, it will never see the light of day. Ever. Ever. I actually saw it, but I don't want to see it again," Stainton said.

The Discovery Channel, which produced and aired Irwin's programs to a reported global audience of more than 200 million, said it will not show the footage.

Thousands of fans have flocked to Irwin's wildlife park in Australia's Queensland state, Australia Zoo, creating a shrine of flowers and written tributes. Prime Minister John Howard said a state funeral was appropriate, calling him a great ambassador for Australia.

Bob Irwin said a state funeral wouldn't be what Steve wanted.

"He's just an ordinary guy, and he wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," said Bob Irwin. "The state funeral would be refused."

Bob Irwin, who started the wildlife park that his son turned into a major tourist attraction, said Steve realized his work was dangerous and that he could die doing it.

"Steve knew the risks involved in the type of work he was doing, and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way," Bob Irwin said.

Michael Hornby, the head of one of Irwin's wildlife charities, Wildlife Warriors, said Terri Irwin is considering having a smaller, private ceremony at an Outback location, and approving a separate large event at a stadium in the state capital, Brisbane.

[stewy33]

Steve is so adorable, loveable, huggable! What's not to love? What a terrible loss!! I was so grateful to see his manager grieve on Larry King! It was what we were all longing for...real emotion and love! I got so tired of hearing his wife would be fine because she is strong. Her world was just turned upside down and will never be the same! She remains in my prayers daily along with her beautiful children and Steve's father!! May God comfort and uphold you all! He is the only one who can! Lot's of Love and Hugs and Prayers!!!!

[hiattl]

To the family, colleagues, and many friends of Steve Irwin. My heart and prayers go to Mrs. Irwin and her children that the Lord will find a way to give them peace and joy in their lives to come. I will also pray for strength for you Mrs. Irwin as a mother raising her family alone. Hopefully even though the time you were given to share with Mr.Irwin was short, I hope it has left many wonderful and loving memories to sustain you in the future. As for the friends and colleagues of Mr. Irwin, I hope in some way you will help to remember Mr. Irwin and his dreams and carry on what he began in wildlife conservation as a tribute to the man you knew and loved so much. Again, my prayers are with Mrs. Irwin and her children and all of you and even though I was never able to meet any of you in person, if I had I'm sure we would have been "mates". Peace and best wishes to all of you in a very sad time. Sincerely Lisa H.

[lillysmommy]

My entire heart goes out to Steve's family, friends, and colleagues. I have been watching Steve since he started in 1992 when i was 7 years old. Meeting Steve Irwin and going to Australia Zoo has become my life dream. He is everything I wish I could do, and had done things I knew I would never get the chance to do. He was my hero. I was in shock, and then once I realized it was true I cried. although I will never be able to meet Steve himself, but I will see Australia Zoo. All of my deepest condolences,
Adrianne Hathaway, Hutchinson, Kansas

[cinnaminspis]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Irwin family. I was so shocked when I turned on the news and it was announced. No way it cant be real I said. We loved to watch his shows. My children loved him. They still cant believe this has happened. We have lost a great educator and friend. God Bless you all. Time will heal.

[lmamaghan]

I am not an animal fanatic, nor did I washed his program because frankly it just scared me to death. I however have always had a profound respect for this incredible man and admired his enthusiam for life human and animal alike. I do not feel a State funeral is what he would have wanted he just seemed like such a simple happy go lucky man, however I do feel that he would want his last moments in this life released to the public. I would not watch it myself, but it would be the best tribute anyone can give to him. He never liked anything censored and I'm pretty sure he would want it this way.
I think if it's done with permission of his family, with respect and with prior warning so children would not witness this, it would be have a memorable never before seen experience as everything he did was.
My prayers and well wishes go out to his family.

[bunnee_1]

I think a State Funeral would have been wonderful for all of us to say good bye to our beloved teacher of Nature, Steven Irwin. A World Wide broadcasted funeral would have helped all of us whom still suffer the great shock & loss of him. We knew his job was dangerous. But, it does not stop the pain in our hearts of the loss of him. Steven was a great teacher of Wildlife. He taught us the danger involved & told us not to fear it but to embrace all creatures, great & small. We learned through his example that nature is not to be feared but loved. He risked his own life to bring us that because he loved us & wanted to keep not only the worlds animals safe but our lives as well. He risked his life everyday at his job so we could learn & love the wonderful things left in this world as he did. He gave us a positive outlook on life. He brought us Peace & Hope everyday. He not only brought love of nature to us but unity & friendship for all. He was this world's white light of Hope that this world could still be a better place. When we watched his show, War disappeared, all bad things left our troubled minds. We followed him on his adventures, to disappear into the unknown of nature & embrace the worlds gifts that were suppose to be ours for joy instead of harming or hunting into extinction.

Rest in Sweet Peace Steve-O.
Bunnee Mammoth Lakes, CA.

[kimberly_72]

MAY GOD BE WITH TERRI, BINDI, AND BOB. I KNOW THAT STEVE IRWIN IS LOOKING DOWN ON YA'LL.
I HAVE LOST MY MOTHER A COUPLE YEARS AGO , TERRI,
AND I THOUGHT I WAS NEVER GOING TO GET OVER IT. I AM STILL NOT OVER IT BUT I PUSH ON FOR MY CHILDREN. I HAVE THREE AND THEY ARE WHAT KEEP ME GOING. STEVE WILL BE WITH HIS MOTHER NOW!!! I KNOW I WOULD WATCH HIM TALK ABOUT HER AND HE ACTED LIKE SHE WAS REALLY CLOSE TO HIS HEART SO NOW HIM AND HER CAN BE TOGETHER. YA'LL TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND KEEP THE FAITH. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AS YOU GO.....P.S. ARE YOU GOING TO SHUT DOWN THE ZOO ???? AND IF NOT WHO WILL TAKE OVER??????
SIGNED,
KIM FROM KENTUCKY

[carmen84-2009]

i also sent all my best wishes to all his gorgeous family.hang on there!is isn't with us anymore in person but his spirit will be forever is our hearts,thoghts and in his beloved nature.i'm glad that if God decided that for our great "crocodile hunter"is time to go and become an angel near Him ,he passed away doing what he loved doing not in some car accident.sometimes life is so unfair!but i think that God needed one more angel and that's why Steve had to go.rest in peace!

[dalexander55]

I am in shock that Steve is gone. My heart goes out to the entire Irwin family. We are all going to miss him. The animals have lost their greatest defender. Steve was truly a great human being, kind to people and animals.

[carmen84-2009]

when i heard about this tragic accident i was driving back home from the mountains,i couldn't believe what i heard,i was shocked.words can't describe how sorry i am for him.i feel as if someone of my family died,because while watching his shows i felt that he was with me in the room.thanks to him i'm not afraid of snakes anymore,but i used to hate them,now can watch them,be near them but i don't touch them.this what he did to me,but imagine what kind of difference he made to this world.Romania is crying for u,our sweet "mate"

[carmen84-2009]

i wish he was immortal.he is nowadays hero

[deanis1-2009]

it dosnt seem real at all!!terri,bindi and bob may god be with you in this terrible loss!!my prayers certainly are.i almost cry just thinking about it.it is a great tragedy to see steve irwin leave us forever and he will be remembered.he died doing what he loved which was what he wanted.he will be remembered for passion and enthusiasim.he was a true assie icon and he put australia on the map.

[cindysue7]

I will miss Steve Irwin. The guy truly loved crocs. I watched him faithfully for the first couple of years simply because he would get right in there with the crocs. All of the other environmental/animal documentary people I've watched never really liked crocs like Steve did -- I've read too much lately that he wasn't respectful -- have to disagree. The guy was like a kid in a candy shop, however, his candy shop was a croc swamp; he loved the environment; he loved the crocs; and in all of his programs about the crocs, he continually showed different aspects of the crocs, simply going back to the fact that he loved them and wanted to show the world how fascinating they were. Sorry if I'm muddling here but his death is a terrible loss and I'm offended that there are people out there who think he somehow was asking to die in the manner he did.

[countrygirlz]

It still doesn't feel real. My love and prayers are with you Terry as you and Bindi and Baby Bob go forward. And to you Dad and sis (as you were the first to film his work) and Wes and all of Steve's "zoo" family and friends. Even the animals will mourn for the loss of Steve, Our precious "Crocodile Hunter".I am so thankful for all the film footage of him because it's as if he left a little bit of himself behide for us. After all, watching him on tv was how we fell inlove with him. No person do I know with such a loving and sharing heart! And a spirit as pure and honest as the creatures he loved so much. We will see you in heaven Steve. God bless you, the love ones who are left behind for a time until you too will be together again. Everytime you look into an animals face...love for Steve.

[cheyangel81]

Dear Terry iam very sorry about your loss my god be with you doing your time of loss.... Me and my little girl watched you every day on tv... We will be and we will pray for you terry god blass you all....

[low85]

To the irwin family my thoughts and prays go out to you steve will be missed he was the greatest .and know boby can ever take that from him god bless you all

[rtodd1952]

We'll miss you Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. You were a hoot!

[yanuarmaryon]

Good bye my dear friend, thank you for your share of many enjoyments and excitements you have done for almost rest of your live being in wildlife, the world that you really feels home.
I know and I can see your smile on the sky with beautiful birds, on the water with thousands of fish, croc, frog and others and also in green trees with the snakes and other animals.
You will live forever in my heart, my nature...

[yanuarmaryon]

Good bye my dear friend, thank you for your share of many enjoyments and excitements you have done for almost rest of your live being in wildlife, the world that you really feels home.
I know and I can see your smile on the sky with beautiful birds, on the water with thousands of fish, croc, frog and others and also in green trees with the snakes and other animals.
You will live forever in my heart, my nature...

[aewood2000]

Me and my two kids loved to watch you guys we have not missed a show. Our heart breaks for Steve Irwins Family, and for his zoo family as well. You will be in our prayers for a long time to come.