The North-West football community has lost an icon of the game, following the passing of East Devonport Football Club legend Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee on Wednesday morning.
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The news of Lee's passing was made on the Swans' Facebook page, with a heart felt tribute about the impact he's had on the football community.
"No individual has given greater service or had a greater impact on the East Devonport Football Club than Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee," the post said.
"His staggering collection of honours is to be admired and in awe of, but there was a whole lot more to Gypsy than personal accolades."
Lee, who began his football career at Wynyard, gave more than 50 years of service to East Devonport, including captain-coaching the club's NWFU premiership team in 1968.
Playing 324 senior games in total, Lee was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and elevated to 'legend' status in 2010.
As an "avid match day member and supporter until 2020", the Swans' Facebook tribute touched on the figure Lee was in and around the club come game day.
"Those around him and in his presence - from immediate and extended family to fiends, football colleagues, work colleagues and football supporters all benefited in one way or another just having him in the room," the post continued.
"There were those that didn't know Gypsy personally but knew who he was and were in star-struck awe of being in the same building as him - from 80-year-olds right down to school kids.
"That gift puts every single persona around him in a better place for those few minutes or hours, they can see, hear and feel his presence.
"He 'owned' the room without even trying, and without knowing it. No one came close to Gypsy on that front."
Lee has "courageously" fought a long battle with illness.
He's survived by his wife Elaine, and children Stephen, Karen and Darren.
Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee's list of achievements and accolades:
- 1968 - Captain-coach of our NWFU premiership team
- 132 Senior games
- 1971, 72 ,73 (Premiers 1971) - Under 19 coach
- 1974, 75 - Non-playing Senior coach
- Club patron, president, committee member, mentor, sponsor, events organiser, and an avid match day member and supporter until 2020
- 1966 - All-Australian selection after the National Carnival at North Hobart
- 1966 - Lefroy Medal (Tas. B&F), and 3rd in Tassie Medal (Carnival B&F)
- 20 Senior games with St Kilda between 1960-62
- Captain - Launceston Football Club Team of the Century (5 years as Captain-Coach)
- Represented Tasmania 11 times, NTFA 8, and NWFU 6 (captained all three)
- Numerous media awards
- Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame inductee - 2005. Elevated to 'Legend' in 2010
- NTFL Hall of Fame - 2006
- Total senior games - 324
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