The Illawarra sporting community is in mourning following the sudden and unexpected death of local baseball stalwart Steve Owen. The 64-year-old passed away on January 4, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his family and the sport he loved.
A Life of Many Talents: Father, Chemist, and Sportsman
To his family, Steve Owen was far more than a baseball identity. He was a devoted husband to Leigh and a loving father to his children, Tyler and Jenna. His daughter, Wollongong actor and comedian Jenna Owen, shared a moving tribute on Instagram, painting a picture of a multifaceted man.
She described her father as a "super smart, tough and gruff boy from Merrylands" who valued resilience. His talents were diverse: a brilliant chemist on the cusp of completing his PhD, a former skilled goalkeeper for Western Sydney soccer teams, and a qualified scuba instructor. Jenna noted he was a man who "suffered no fools" and had a deep love for animals.
"He was tough, but so deeply loyal and loving," she wrote, acknowledging that his complex character had inspired her own creative work.
A Pillar of the Northern Pirates Baseball Club
Within the Illawarra baseball scene, Steve Owen was a respected and quiet force. A life member of the Northern Pirates Baseball Club, his association began through the junior ranks when his children started playing. He progressed to senior club duties, playing minor league baseball for years before taking on leadership roles.
Grant Vukasinovic, a fellow Pirates life member, remembered his friend as the ultimate "quiet achiever." "He wasn't one for giving a Winston Churchill-type speech," Vukasinovic said. "He would be there to ensure that the club had good support... and do the hard work when it was needed."
Owen served as club president for two seasons, a period where his passionate leadership helped continue the club's traditions. His commitment extended beyond playing, as he also took up umpiring in both major and minor league games across the region.
A Sudden and Shocking Loss
The news of Owen's death has sent shockwaves through his family and the close-knit baseball community. Vukasinovic revealed that his friend died suddenly while mowing the lawn, suffering a suspected medical episode.
"It is devastating for the family and all those who knew and loved Steve," Vukasinovic said. The club has extended its deepest condolences to Owen's wife, Leigh, and children Jenna and Tyler, who are "absolutely devastated."
Friends recalled his character through his sporting loyalties – a Parramatta Eels supporter in the NRL and a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates in American Major League Baseball, a fitting allegiance given his club's name. They often joked that his birthday on July 4, American Independence Day, made his love for the US-born sport of baseball unsurprising.
One of his proudest baseball moments came in 2014, when he played for the Pirates' Pan PAC Masters side, with a game against Japan standing out as a particular highlight.
A funeral service for Steve Owen will be held on Friday, January 16, as the Illawarra says goodbye to a man remembered as a dedicated family man, a respected scientist, and a true pillar of local sport.
