Funeral for Tim Vince, father of Crows star Bernie Vince, held on Yorke Peninsula
Radio star Chris Dittmar led a final farewell for Bernie Vince’s dad Tim, remembered as a larrikin, storyteller and above all, family man.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A beloved larrikin, cheeky storyteller and, above all, a cherished family man — that is how Yorke Peninsula farmer Tim Vince, father of Triple M presenter and former Adelaide Crows star Bernie Vince, has been remembered.
On Wednesday, Mr Vince was farewelled by hundred of mourners at a funeral service at his beloved Stansbury Oval — or ‘SCG’, as he described it to anyone who would listen.
“He would always ask people if they’d heard of the SCG – not the one you think of, the Stansbury Cricket Ground,” Bernie said.
“He was so proud of this place and to call Stansbury home that if you weren’t from here or from the area, he felt sorry for you.”
That trademark humour, his son Bernie said, was just a small fraction of the 65-year-old’s legacy.
Mr Vince passed away on June 16 following a lengthy health battle, prompting an outpouring of grief and love from Yorkes mates, sporting stars and footy figures alike.
He leaves behind wife Serena, five children and 14 grandchildren.
The service was officiated by Triple M presenter and close friend Chris Dittmar, who fought back tears as he spoke of Mr Vince’s incomparable ability to make others laugh, even in his darkest hours.
“My memory with Tim will be that he always had a grin on his face, a cheeky grin, as he told stories, as he listened to your stories and solved everything in the world,” Dittmar said.
Dittmar said a group of mates had visited Mr Vince in hospital just before he died, only to find the 65-year-old fumbling with his iPad.
“Tim told us: ‘I’m trying to find some Port Adelaide highlights but I’m bloody struggling’,” he said.
“Right to the very end – and he was battling I can tell you – he was still laughing and he was still making us laugh.
“There’ll never be another Tim Vince.”
Former Crow Bernie, alongside sisters Karlie, Kirra, Ellie and Shayla, said Mr Vince wasn’t just a father to them — he was a hero.
“He was larger than life, charismatic, a character, the ultimate entertainer, and hands-down the best storyteller I’ve ever heard,” Bernie said.
“He’d walk into any room and people would just gravitate towards him … young or old, male or female, he didn’t care – he’d entertain you.”
Bernie said Mr Vince would “never let the truth get in the way” of a good story, and recalled his passionate — if not somewhat lacking in skill — commitment to the Stansbury Cricket Club, and the connection it forged with his son.
“Every year in my school book, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always write: ‘Whatever dad was doing’,” Bernie said.
“Now I realise I should’ve just written: ‘I want to be dad’, because that’s what I wanted to be.
“I can only pray that I have a relationship half as good with my son Harvey as what dad’s and mine was.
“To dad, it was never ‘goodnight’, it was ‘I’ll see you in the morning’. It was never ‘goodbye’, it was ‘I’ll see you later’. So, for now dad, it’s ‘I’ll see you later’. I’m going to miss you and I love you.”
Mr Vince was a multiple premiership player and captain for the Stansbury Football Club, and dedicated long term volunteer of CMS Crows Football and Netball Club, Stansbury Cricket Club and Stansbury Sports and Community Club.
After leaving school aged 15, he worked as a farm hand and became a shearer and instructor, meeting his wife Serena in 1983 before the couple tied the knot a year and a half later.
Mr Vince’s grandson Nate said his papa was “kind and helpful, and also gave cuddles”.
“He was very nice and he let us go on his lap and drive his ute,” Nate said.
“He gave us biscuits, also papa helped us with the chickens and get the eggs. He let us have babycinos every day when we came over to the farm. Love you papa.”
His granddaughter, Arlo, said Mr Vince used to take the kids “on the front of the motorbike” and took them out on his boat with their fishing rods.
“When papa stayed at my house, he slept in the other bed next to mine,” she said.
“All of the grandkids love you and miss you every day.”
Both children’s brave words were met with rapturous applause.
In a fitting farewell for the man described as his family’s guiding light, an acoustic version of ‘My Hero’ by the Foo Fighters rung out across the oval as the funeral concluded.
“He was so brave and strong the whole way through and tried so hard to look on the positive side by talking about all the things he wanted to do when he got better,” Mr Vince’s children said.
“Dad’s passing leaves a massive void in our lives that will never be filled, but his spirit will live on in the countless memories we have, in his five children and 14 grandchildren.
“His life was not just in the years he lived, but in the lives he touched, the hearts he warmed and in the people he inspired.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Funeral for Tim Vince, father of Crows star Bernie Vince, held on Yorke Peninsula
Rex regional flights to and from SA cancelled, delayed
Rex flights in and out of Adelaide on Wednesday have been cancelled and delayed after the airline announced it would enter voluntary administration.
‘Give us our grandpa’s body back’: Adelaide family’s morgue shock
A heartbroken family is pleading for the release of their beloved grandpa’s body but has been told only one person can sign the release – and it’s not known when they’ll be back in the office.