Tributes flow for lifelong Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club member John Wayne ‘Snork’ Fitzpatrick

A lifelong Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club member is being remembered as a “larger than life” figure and a “huge personality with a heart of gold”. Read the tributes

A lifelong Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club member is being remembered as a “larger than life” figure and a “huge personality with a heart of gold”.

John Wayne ‘Snork’ Fitzpatrick died at the age of 72 on Wednesday after a health battle.

Mr Fitzpatrick had a five-decade involvement with the legendary club, which has seen the likes of footy greats Wally Lewis and Barry Muir don its colours.

The club – a breeding ground for former Gold Coast Titans players Ryan James and Kayne Lawton – paid a touching tribute to Mr Fitzpatrick on Thursday.

Tributes are flowing for lifelong Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club member John Wayne 'Snork' Fitzpatrick (left), who died on December 6. Pictured with Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin and Matt Francis. Picture: Facebook.

“The club is sad to announce the passing of Seagulls life member and community legend John Wayne Fitzpatrick,” they wrote.

“The club extends its condolences to his family and the wide circle of friends who had the privilege of knowing the man who had over fifty years involvement with the Seagulls.

“Better known as Wayne and also as ‘Snork’, ‘Fitzy’ and the ‘Big Man’, dependent on the company, he was both figuratively and literally a larger than life figure.”

The club said Mr Fitzpatrick brought “joy to many people’s lives”.

“Snork used his great knowledge of the game to discover, recruit and mentor many of the emerging greats of the game.

“May you rest in peace big man … one of the great characters associated with the club.”

Ex-NRL player and Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin said Mr Fitzpatrick had a “heart of gold”.

’Snork’ had a 50-year affiliation with the club. Picture: Facebook.

“Snork was my first-grade team manager when I left high school and started playing for the Seagulls,” he said.

“He was a larger than life personality, a big personality – but had a heart of gold.”

“He would struggle to say a bad word about anybody. He put the club and families of the club first.

“I remember sneaking underage into what used to O’Rourke’s Nightclub at Coolangatta and meeting him for the first time. He was 150kg, huge, and part of a generation that knew how to have a good time.”

The “big man with a heart of gold”. Picture: Facebook.

Tributes flooded in for the much-loved club member on social media.

Neil Pengilley wrote: “I’m sure those who knew him will give him a great farewell in honour of the time and effort he gave to Seagulls Rugby League club. Rest In Peace Fitzy.”

Philip Economidis wrote: “Deepest sympathies to his family. So sad.”

Dee Bee wrote: “RIP. ‘Compulsory elbows up’. One of many famous calls.”

Jill Kinneally added: “My condolences to all the family. Fitzy thanks for the memories. RIP old friend.”

A funeral service will be held for Mr Fitzpatrick at the Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club on Friday, December 15 at 11am NSW time.