Sam Coonan: The Entrance Hockey Club reeling from shock death
He was the face of a Central Coast hockey club; all the juniors looked up to him and all the seniors related to him. Now they are all reeling after Sam Coonan’s sudden death at 29.
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Members of the Central Coast hockey community are in disbelief at the sudden death of 29-year-old Sam Coonan from a brain aneurysm.
He collapsed in the shower of the family home at Bateau Bay on Friday afternoon after complaining of headaches, with his father Chris undertaking CPR until paramedics arrived.
Sam, the second youngest of six children for Jenny and Chris, was taken to hospital and died on Saturday morning.
Despite his youth, Sam had already been a life member of The Entrance Hockey Club for three years. Among his career highlights was victory in the 2013 Hunter Coast Men’s Premier League Hockey grand final, where the Devils became the first Central Coast side in the competition’s 12-year history to win the title.
He had also coached women’s and junior sides and had a swag of representative playing honours to his name.
Coincidentally a lighthearted player profile about Sam was posted on the club’s website a month ago, describing him as “one of the best nine players to ever play for the Entrance Hockey Club with the last name Coonan”.
It paid tribute to his 564 games for the club across 25 years, saying “when you think of The Entrance Hockey Club, you think of Samuel Coonan”.
Sam’s father said describing him as a character was an understatement and that he was grateful he had “hours of video of his cheeky smart-arse face” to look back through.
“He’d take the piss out of his brothers and sisters something terrible; he’d stick at them until he made them laugh,” Mr Coonan said.
“He was just the kindest, most generous and loving, happiest person.”
The Entrance hockey club life member Barry Dowd said it was “very hard for people to accept he’s not with us anymore”.
“As soon as he walked into a room, he lit the whole room up,” Mr Dowd said.
“People remember him for his big smile and his big bear hugs.
“You wouldn’t find a better clubman or a friend than Sam.”
The family expect to hold a small funeral next week, with a larger public memorial to take place when circumstances allow.