Tributes flow for Ray Simpson, who died in a road accident at Sea Lake

A Noble Park man who died in a road accident in northern Victoria on Saturday was well known in the Dandenong District Cricket Association.

Ray Simpson died in a road accident of Noble Park

A Noble Park man who died in a road accident on Saturday is being remembered as a “gentle giant’’ who worked hard to provide for his family.

Ray Simpson, 66, was well known in local cricket circles, having served as president of leading Dandenong association club Buckley Ridges.

He was a life member of Buckley.

“He was a strong leader who always put the club first, he was a selfless and tireless worker,’’ Buckley Ridges official Chris Rattle said on Sunday.

“Ray was a gentle giant who held our club together in the 1990s and early 2000s when we were at a low ebb.

“He was admired and respected by everyone. He enjoyed the club’s recent successes.’’

Simpson, a truck driver, had worked at Big River Timber at Mordialloc before retiring three years ago.

Former colleague Aaron Martello said on Sunday he had been shocked to learn of Simpson’s death at Sea Lake.

He described him as a “salt of the earth, down to earth sort of bloke’’ who enjoyed a beer and a laugh.

“He was a man’s man, reliable, hardworking … you could always count on Ray,’’ Martello said.

“What you saw was what you got with him. And he was a great family man too.’’

Ray and Sue Simpson.

In a tribute, Buckley stalwart Gerry Carman said Simpson was a “towering figure – both in terms of physique and performance’’ at the club.

He said he was involved at Buckley from the time eldest son Shane came to the club in 1989, served as taxi driver to players, a juniors coach and co-ordinator, committeeman and player. He had two terms as president.

In recent years, he and his wife, Sue, had been regulars at past players days and supported the Turf 1 team during finals.

“His ongoing passion for Buckley was evident in his most recent posts just two weeks ago following the club’s AGM.

“Ray had no pretences and disliked all forms of ‘bullshit’. So, all that needs to be said about him is that he was one of a kind: a good bloke who did more than his fair share for Buckley.’’

Ray Simpson grew up in Hampton, played junior football at East Sandringham and attended St Bede’s College in Mentone.

He played a lot of senior football for Mt Waverley.

Police said on Saturday that Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were investigating a single-vehicle crash at Sea Lake.

Emergency services were called to the Calder Highway to reports a 4WD towing a caravan had lost control and rolled about 1.30pm.

Shane Simpson said this morning his mother was driving the 4WD.

She was flown to Bendigo Hospital, received minor injuries and is recovering at home.

Ray and Sue liked to travel in their caravan and they also enjoyed spending time at Phillip Island, where they had a permanent caravan and he could do some fishing.

Horse racing was another passion, particularly the jumps.

Ray Simpson is survived by his wife of 45 years, children Shane, Torrie and Dale, and seven grandchildren.