Rest in Peace, Mate 9/13/06

In Loving Memory of Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, commonly known as the Crocodile Hunter, passed away Monday, Sept. 4. Irwin was most famous for his Animal Planet show, "Crocodile Hunter." The adventurous Australian entertained television audiences with his encounters with crocodiles and other wild animals. He was also known for his common interjections of "Crikey!" and "What a beauty!"

"I was really upset," senior Hilary Shaffer said. "Steve Irwin did a lot for the animal community. He was a bold guy. There weren't many people like him."

As news spread through the Loyola community, Facebook groups such as "Crikey: A Testament to the Late and Great Steve Irwin" and "Sept. 4: Punch a Stingray in the Stomach Day" were created in his honor. Irwin, a man who seemed fearless and invincible, was killed while filming an animal in its natural habitat. Shockingly, a crocodile was not the cause of Irwin's untimely demise.

In a freak accident, the Crocodile Hunter was killed by a stingray barb that punctured his chest. Heroically, Irwin was able to remove the barb from his chest before he lost consciousness.

"Initially, I wanted to wipe out the whole species of stingrays, but then I figured it's better than the Crocodile Hunter just getting old," freshman Matt Ruggirello said.

Irwin leaves behind his wife Terri and their two young children, Bindi, 8, and Bob, 3. He will be mourned and remembered by children and adults alike who watched in awe as he worked with some of nature's most dangerous animals. He used his love of animals to teach millions about the importance of conserving nature and the respect everyone should have for all of nature's creatures.

"Hopefully, Steven Irwin is wrestling crocodiles in the clouds," Shaffer said