Birdwood Football Club’s Antonio Loiacono died on Saturday after he suffered critical injuries during the season-opening A-grade game at Gumeracha Oval in the Adelaide Hills.
Loiacono’s family said he loved playing football for the “comradery of the players, their families and the local country teams”.
“Antonio started playing Auskick when he was just four-years-old and we are so thankful for the love and support we’ve received from the football community over the past few days,” the family said in a statement.
“Antonio was a larrikin who had a gift for bringing people together, young and old, and brought light and life into every room.”
“We feel so blessed that his spirit continues to unite the community, as he always did in life.”
The family thanked the community for the “overwhelming support” they had received.
“It was Antonio’s wish for his organs to be donated and we take comfort in knowing that in his death, others have been given the gift of life.
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“We humbly request privacy for the family as we make arrangements for Antonio’s funeral, where we will celebrate his life and the life he gave to others.”
Friends and family have remembered the 20-year-old as someone who would “put a smile on anyone’s face” and “one of the most caring and thoughtful people”.
Jack Loiacono said his brother was his “other half, my best friend and the person I look up to most”, describing him as “the most caring thoughtful person I’ve come across”.
(9News)
“Words can’t describe the pain we all feel you’re loved by so many,” he said, on Facebook.
The Birdwood Football Club expressed its condolences to Loiacono’s family following his death.
Premier Peter Malinauskas described the loss as “heartbreaking”.
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