LIHU‘E — On the heels of the memorial and celebration of life held Sunday at Pine Trees for Andy Irons, who passed away on Nov. 2, the Irons family released a statement to express their thoughts and thanks: Following a
LIHU‘E — On the heels of the memorial and celebration of life held Sunday at Pine Trees for Andy Irons, who passed away on Nov. 2, the Irons family released a statement to express their thoughts and thanks:
Following a beautiful memorial service on November 14th, 2010 at Andy’s beloved Hanalei Bay, the Irons family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to them from the far corners of the planet.
“Andy’s passing was met with the most overwhelming and powerful wave of love and support,” said Andy’s mother Danielle, adding that the family could not have imagined the range of Andy’s impact and influence on people around the world.
“The friendship and concern that has poured in from everywhere has been unimaginable,” says Andy’s father, Phil, “and we are deeply, deeply grateful. Words are beyond us.” Danielle adds, “It’s like one big giant hug, arms around you, of comfort.”
The entire family wants to thank their friends at Billabong, who were there for the family from the first moment. “Then they orchestrated such a soulful, loving day for the community and for Andy. Andy would have loved it! It was an extraordinary memorial,” said Danielle.
The Irons family too wants to recognize the special community of Hanalei, where Andy and his brother Bruce were born and raised on the North Shore, and thank them for extending the aloha spirit in coming together, opening their arms and sharing their generosity “with us and everybody”, and in continuing to support the Irons family. “We are still feeling the community’s sorrow so deeply. It helps to go through this together,” said Andy’s father, Phil.
The family would also like to thank the ASP Medical Team for their role at the ASP-sanctioned event at Puerto Rico and want to convey their appreciation to the ASP-approved Rip Curl Pro Search Doctors who treated Andy there. They were professional and did everything they could to take care of Andy’s health, says Danielle, on behalf of the family. “I know how stubborn Andy can be, and once he makes up his mind there’s no changing it. He was set on coming home.”
Another closing ceremony to celebrate Andy’s life will take place during the start of the Pipe Masters, which is scheduled to run Dec. 8-20.
It is the third and final leg of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
