Ammos legend farewelled after brave battle with cancer

Geelong Amateur Football Club is in mourning after the passing of Gareth Prime, a former player, coach, and generous benefactor, who succumbed to cancer after a courageous fight.

Gareth Prime is remembered for his loyalty, integrity, and dedication to the Geelong Amateur Football Club. Picture: Supplied.

The Geelong Amateur Football club is mourning the loss of a true legend after a former player, coach, and donor Gareth Prime lost a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mr Prime joined the club in 1999 during his junior years, he played all the way up until 2007, and more recently coached his son Billy in the under 9’s team.

Speaking to the Geelong Advertiser, Mr Prime’s business partner Tim Clark said his strong sense of loyalty and dedication to the team was on full show when he stood up for his teammates in 2003, when a Barwon Heads player struck one of his teammates.

“Right there on the spot Gaz evened up with a right hook on the older senior player, and that's just a testament to how Gaz played his footy and lived his life,” Mr Clark said.

A tribunal ultimately “rubbed him out” for the final as punishment, but Mr Clark said there’s no doubt they would have won if he was playing.

That dedication continued later into his life, when Mr Prime’s business ComfyPod sponsored the club for five consecutive years.

“Gaz also helped build the club a new bar, and put so much work into doing a kitchen renovation there as well.

“He also got as heavily involved as possible with the juniors coaching his son Billy’s team for two years … even when he was battling with his health he never missed a game,” Mr Clark added.

Mr Clark said the club donned black arm bands in memory of Mr Prime last week, and will begin discussions on how else to commemorate him as a club later down the track.

Mr Prime was also a successful business owner, having founded tiny home manufacturer ComfyPod alongside Mr Clark and carpenter Hugh Hunt.

Alongside Billy, Mr Prime is survived by two daughters, Annie and Alice, with club wrapping its arms around the whole family in the wake of his tragic passing.

The father of three also leaves behind his wife Hayley, who has requested that those wishing to commemorate him make a donation to hospice facility Anam Cara House.

Mr Prime was laid to rest on Friday at Mt Duneed Estate in Waurn Ponds.

Originally published as Ammos legend farewelled after brave battle with cancer