‘Amazing soul’: Tributes flow after young dad Jack Bristow’s shock death

Family and friends are remembering a popular Gold Coast dad and footy player who had his life tragically cut short, leaving behind a young family.

Tributes have poured in for a popular Gold Coast dad who had his life tragically cut short, leaving behind a young family.

Family and friends have been left devastated after much loved former Surfers Paradise Demons football player Jack Bristow, 26, died unexpectedly last week.

His wife Jessica said he “passed away suddenly, but peacefully”.

Jessica and Jack Bristow holding their daughter Layla.

Jack Bristow with daughter Layla.

“With the heaviest heart, on behalf of the Bristow family, we have to announce that my soulmate, our boy, our Jack, passed away suddenly, but peacefully on Wednesday,” she wrote on Facebook.

“We appreciate and will need all the support we can get, but we also ask for respect while we try to come to terms with our loss.

“We thank you in advance for the love, prayers and support.”

Surfers Paradise Demons Football Club former coach John Rankin described the young dad as “a favourite son”.

The club had a gathering on Saturday to remember the much loved former footballer.

“It’s a very sad time and we need to support each other as we work through it,” Mr Rankin said.

Childhood best friend Jesse Courtney said his partner broke the news to him on Wednesday.

“Jess (Jack’s wife) called my partner and made sure I was home to tell me the news,” he said.

“I was broken.

“The next morning I went around Dave (Jack’s dad) house and I have spent pretty much every day with them since.

“Dave is very shattered, it is his eldest son, his first boy.

“He just wants his son to be remembered for the person he was.

“He doesn’t want him to be forgotten about in a few weeks.”

Mr Courtney said people will remember him as a loyal friend who was there for anyone in need.

“We hung out every day in our teenage years, probably from 14 to 19,” he said.

“I played football as well but we never played for the same club.

“We were super competitive against one another.”

Jack Bristow and his best mate Jesse Courtney

Mr Courtney said Jack’s relationship with his wife and daughter was like no other.

“He was only fresh to the fatherhood scene but in the last four years he has turned into the most soft, gentle human being,” he said.

An online fundraiser has been set up to support the Bristow family and has already raised more than $5800.

It described Mr Bristow as “an amazing soul”.

“He cared for his family deeply and for his friends just as much. Jack was fun loving, caring and supportive to everyone who ever crossed his path,” Mr Courtney wrote on the GoFundMe page.

“He was the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, and a shoulder to cry on whenever you needed it. Nothing was ever too much for Jack.

“He leaves behind his loving family, friends but most of all his beautiful wife Jess and daughter Layla.”

The fundraiser said all donations would go directly to Jessica and Layla to cover their necessities, food and bills.

A celebration of Mr Bristow’s life will be held at 1pm on Friday, November 26 at the Church of Christ Southport.

The family have requested guests do not wear all black.

Attendees are asked to join the family afterwards at the Surfers Paradise Demons Football club, Ashmore Rd, Benowa.

Follow @Melwhiting

Originally published as ‘Amazing soul’: Tributes flow after young dad Jack Bristow’s shock death