Features
A Tribute to Owen Fitzpatrick - Duke remembers OJ
Published February 14, 2012 at 4:18 pm by Marek Indyka
By Kieran Duke Burns
Picture this. Owen and Ash ( Ojs girlfiend ) and myself, were walking up Oxford st through Paddington after we had gone to see ourselves up on the bigscreen at the Chauvel Cinema in the student Pro Wrestling shortfilm "The Last Match". We had just left from being with good friend Greg TNT Bownds and clearly, we were all pumped and as always, the topic of conversation was Pro Wrestling (obviously lol). Before we had realised it, not only had OJ and Ash walked past where there were meant to go, but we also disregarded the fact and continued walking, engrossed in our conversation until I remember profusely apologising to Ash for subjecting her to another diatribe on wrestling. It was then that I realised that it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, always appreciate those moments in life when time stops and you are truly enjoying life with a good friend.
In the few short years that I had the unique opportunity to know our good friend Owen, we worked not only as Ring Announcer and Referee on wrestling shows for AWF in NSW but we travelled interstate to pursue our passion for it also and became close, strong friends as a result.
As a referee, he was more than you could ever ask for. Sharp, on the ball, had the respect of both fans and the AWF roster and constantly continued to improve his craft and only ever wanted to contribute to making our fans happy. Initially, I thought Owen was moonlighting as a referee before debuting as a wrestler, so after a few months of reffing, I decided not to announce him as a ref so fans would not get too familiar and then embrace him as a wrestler. When he then informed me he only wanted to referee, not only was I happy to have him on board, but impressed me to no end in his commitment to be the best referee he could be.
As a friend, you would never contemplate asking for more, because with Owen, not only was he always there for you but always had your back. He was loyal, generous, kindhearted and a funloving positive individual who's over the top laugh only made you want to laugh too. I will miss that laugh.....
Friends, Family , AWF and the Australian wrestling community lost one of the good ones and me personally as his loyal friend and wrestling brother, I say with a heavy heart , I will miss you and always uphold your memory. In closing , right before the first match on your tribute show and celebrate your life on AWF - A Night To Remember and every match I will forever do from here on in, I will miss your words when you point to me and say " Ring the bell, Duke....". Goodbye Owen OJ Fitzpatrick, I miss you, we all do.......
Kieran Duke Burns ( AWF)
