Hundreds farewell Sam Landsberger in moving service

Sam Landsberger’s parents have made moving tributes to their son, speaking of their “utter and complete devastation” at losing their cheeky, talented boy.

Hundreds gathered to farewell beloved Herald Sun football journalist Sam Landsberger at a funeral service at the Temple Beth Israel synagogue in St Kilda.

The talented reporter, 35, was hit and killed by a truck in Richmond on August 20.

Among the crowd were many of Sam’s Herald Sun colleagues, including editor Sam Weir.

Former Bulldogs players Scott West and Mitch Wallis and current captain Marcus Bontempelli were also present, as well as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh.

Other attendees included Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, and members of Australia sporting media, including Caroline Wilson and Damian Barrett.

Jake and Anne Landsberger paid tribute to their ‘beautiful, gorgeous young man’. Picture: Ian Currie

Sam was farewelled at Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda. Picture: Ian Currie

Former VFL great Bernie Quinlan consoles Sam’s father Jake. Picture: Ian Currie

Addressing those gathered, Cantor Michel Laloum asked solemnly: “Is there a greater sorrow than this?”.

“No one should have to bury a child,” he said.

Reflecting on Sam’s passion for journalism, cheeky nature and love for the Western Bulldogs, his father Dr Jake Landsberger paid tribute to his “caring and wonderful son”.

“Approximately 22 years ago, our families stood in this same spot, in this great big hall, celebrating Sam’s bar mitzvah,” he said.

“Now we find ourselves in this same room in utter and complete devastation.”

He teared up as he recalled the outpouring of well wishes since his son’s death.

“Anne and I are totally lost for words at the tributes … since his passing, but then, should we be at all surprised? He was an incredible and loving journalist and person,” Dr Landsberger said.

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight’s tribute to Landsberger.

Sam’s family follow his coffin to the hearse. Picture: Ian Currie

A heartbroken Jake and Anne Landsberger paid tribute to their ‘amazing wordsmith’ son. Picture: Ian Currie

“He was an utterly amazing wordsmith, his articles were a joy to read.

“But far more important than that, he was a caring, wonderful son to us and a caring, wonderful brother to his sisters, Sarah and Jess – he brought so much joy into our lives.

“We’ve seen messages of how he lit up a room when he walked in.

“Well, he lit up our lives.”

Dr Landsberger talked of the “indescribable devastation” at losing his son, but also of the “utter gratitude” that they had Sam for the time they did.

“RIP our beautiful, gorgeous young man who will never be forgotten,” he said.

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli at Landsberger’s funeral. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell also attended. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Sam’s mother, Anne, thanked Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight for the “wonderful tribute” that captured the young journalist’s spirit – and his likeness to his maternal grandfather – so well.

“I delivered Sam, I nurtured Sam and I am so grateful that I was with him at the end,” she said.

“There will always be a massive hole in my heart. I love you and will forever.

“RIP my darling boy, I love you.”

Sam Landsberger has been farewelled in a moving service. Picture: Supplied

The crowd of mourners inside Temple Beth Israel. Picture: Ian Currie

Collingwood President Jeff Browne consoles Sam’s father. Picture: Ian Currie

Sam’s older sisters also made moving speeches, talking about their heartbreak at losing their little brother.

A message from his niece, Zara, was read out.

“Dear Sam, I’m really going to miss you. I loved how you would push me on the swings … Thank you for teaching me about the Bulldogs. I’m sad I won’t get to see you again. Love Zara.”

Sam’s high school mates paid tearful tribute to their friend. Picture: Ian Currie

Parents Jake and Anne and sisters Sarah and Jess watch as the coffin of Sam Landsberger is carried away. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A high school friend spoke of Sam’s “confidence” at being labelled a “rising star”.

“Mate, I’m not a rising star, I’m one of the best journalists in Melbourne,” he would reply with a grin.

Another friend, Will Kim, revealed Sam was due to be best man at his wedding later this year.

“I thought he’d be the one making a speech and saying nice things about me, not the other way around,” he said.

“How cruel and unpredictable life can be.”

Sam’s parents told the crowd of how Sam had celebrated his bar mitzvah in the same hall 22 years earlier. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson and billionaire businessman David Smorgon. Picture: Ian Currie

Former AFL player Doug Hawkins. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Speaking at the Bush Summit in Bendigo on Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan paid tribute to Sam, sending her thoughts to his colleagues and loved ones on the day of his funeral.

“I’d also like to acknowledge today a number of people who cannot be with us here because they’re saying goodbye to a loved colleague and friend in Sam Landsberger,” she said.

“Now, I never met Sam, but I have been deeply moved by the many tributes that have been penned in his honour.

“Today, I’m thinking of everyone who loved him. Everyone who worked with him, and everyone who he loved.”

Landsberger joined News Corp in early 2010 and quickly made a name for himself as a newsbreaker, becoming one of the biggest names in the AFL and cricket media landscape.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson recalled a man who was loved by his colleagues.

“Sam Landsberger had an enormous future in journalism and took giant strides early on,” Robinson said.

“He loved the game and understood it, and he respected his craft. He was such a valuable member of Melbourne’s sports journalism world, someone who could cover all aspects of footy. And people trusted him.”