By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Well-wishers and mourners have rushed to support the budding family of a life-loving electrician and footballer tragically killed at a Dandenong factory.
Ryan de Wit was electrocuted while working near a live switchboard on 29 January, leaving behind his pregnant wife Emma and a long list of family and friends.
In recent months, the couple had been putting their lives together in place.
They had just married and bought their first house.
They were expecting their first child in April.
Ms De Wit paid loving tribute to her “best friend and soulmate” on Facebook, describing him as a “beautiful, kind, fun loving, big hearted man”.
“My heart is so broken.
“I hope that our baby will grow up to be just like you.”
Within hours, donors on two crowd-funding pages pledged more than $30,000 to help Ms de Wit and their unborn child.
And many tender tributes have flowed forth for the integral Narre Warren Football Club member.
About 150 devastated players, parents and members – young and old – gathered impromptu to remember him at a Beaconsfield pub on 31 January.
Narre Warren Football Netball Club president Stuart Stephenson said it was rare for a young man to befriend so many across the generations.
He described Mr de Wit as a “massive part of our club” – bringing the teams together on the field and off the field.
The clubman’s footballing record speaks of his leadership and loyalty over more than a decade.
He was a best-and-fairest winner, vice-captain and captain of the reserves side; a premiership player in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Mr De Wit, as an accomplished DJ, was also the social glue. He performed at numerous birthdays, engagements and celebrations at the club.
One of his lasting legacies was bringing the club’s footballers and netballers together for social events known as the Narre Nights.
“He was widely known and well loved,” Mr Stephenson said.
“He always had a smile on his face, always welcoming to all the new people in the club.”
The club will pay lasting tribute in some form – fittingly to tie in with the opening of its new social rooms in April, he said.
Narre Warren player Michael McGill said he’d been left “literally bawling” by the loss of his close friend.
“I can’t remember anyone having a bad word about him.
“He was everyone’s mate, pretty much.”
WorkSafe is investigating Mr de Wit’s death.
To donate to the crowd-funding pages, go to gofundme.com/in-memory-of-ryan-de-wit or gofundme.com/raise-money-for-ryan-dewitt-family
