Andrew (Sava) Lepan

Andrew We first met in high school. Drama class to be exact. You were outgoing, talkative and in your element taking on the lead actor roles. I must admit I was rather intimidated by you back then or was it just awe! It was later when you joined up with David through cricket that our friendship really grew. Card nights, cricket events, weekends away and then kids. Our families grew up together with dinners, birthday parties and holidays. I have wonderful memories of visiting you in multiple homes across different states as you moved around for work, our Fiji island vacation when our eldest boys were still babies, the Lakes Entrance cabin park where we bathed all our kids together to ‘share’ chicken pox and the amazing Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos coach tour we experienced as couples together. I have so many photos of our New Year celebrations across the years. Just you, Karen, Les, David and I. We had great times in your apartment down at ‘the Bud’ and loved welcoming you to Ocean Grove. I’d say it was you Andrew who helped me develop my love of a good red and boy did we try many a bottle across our time! Also you now no longer need to worry about me being the inept partner in Phase Ten or Asshole! You were so personable with absolutely everyone, which made you so suitable to a sales career. My impression and saying of you was the old adage ‘You could sell ice to an Eskimo’. It’s plain to see how you progressed to be General Manager with your strong work ethic. I recall early in your career, my mum meeting you at Westinghouse and your chats with her whilst she worked the reception desk. I am so proud of all you achieved. You worked hard and lived a wonderful life because of this. I will certainly miss your big bear hugs, your booming voice in the room and not least your beef stroganoff or lasagna. I feel at ease knowing that you are now no longer in pain. Rest in peace my friend. Love always. Alison xx

Thank you for our lifelong friendship, from high school, to taking over the cricket club when we were far to young to be responsible, to starting our families, travelling on holidays together and visiting you and your family as you moved around Australia for work. I will cherish the memories of our cricketing days, where we grew the club to be an amazing place for our old and new group of friends. From playing together in the club’s first A Grade premiership, to the card nights that went to all hours on work nights, to end of season cricket trips that we all survived, just. We grew our love for golf and played many a game all over the state and country, always joking about how your ‘lady wood’ didn’t hit it very far but never took it too serious, playing for the joy of the game and spending time with great mates. Your commitment to work and never being scared to take the next challenging role. Your love of fast cars and too many new homes to mention. I will miss our chats about footy and ‘it’s the Tigers year this season’ or who the next ‘Dusty’ was going to be. So glad you got to experience the joy of seeing a Tigers premiership again. Your love of your family and your joy in seeing your kids grow into the people they are today. You were always striving to give your kids everything you didn’t have when growing up. The strength you showed in overcoming life’s hurdles was something I will never forget. Thank you for being a great friend and letting me be a part of your life journey. Love you always. RIP 💔

Andrew Whilst I had never met you in person. However we had chatted through messenger. You met my friend , Petrina. A selfless lady that stood by your side through thick and thin . She always smiled when talking of you . You shared many laughs and tears together . She was your rock beside you to try to fight for more time. You put in a valiant effort . Tried all the “ trial” treatments to bide some time . I stand with Petrina as she tries to put some light into each day as you would have wanted. May you Rest in Eternal Peace. Petrina, as your heart breaks , no one can take the wonderful times. The bands and live entertainment that you would both enjoy with a nice glass of wine . Andrew , you will live on in peoples hearts forever 💕😇💐🌻

Andrew Lepan Lorraine and I met Andrew in 1989, only days after arriving in Melbourne from Perth as a newly married couple. We went to the local indoor sports centre in Altona North and asked the guy standing behind the front counter if we could join a mixed indoor cricket team. That person was Andrew. Without hesitation, he said, “You can join my team.” From there, he convinced me to join his men's indoor cricket teams and then talked me into playing outdoor cricket for Altona North. That decision led to a lifetime of outdoor cricket and many lasting friendships. Andrew took us under his wing and very quickly became a close friend. There were countless card nights, plenty of adventures, and introductions to all the wonders Melbourne had to offer—including learning what it meant to be a true Richmond Tigers supporter. A few years later, we moved back to Perth and lost touch with Andrew. About eight years later, I received a phone call from him while he was in Perth for work. He ended up staying with us on a couple of visits. Then one day he rang and told us he was moving to Perth. Of course, he quickly joined a local cricket club in Rockingham and, before long, convinced me to fill in for the team. This was also when we first met Karen. Andrew told her to come to our house while he and I went off to play cricket. Poor Karen had never met us before and arrived on her own, knocking on the door to meet Lorraine for the first time. Meanwhile, Andrew and I were busy helping his team win the game, putting on the winning runs without losing a wicket. After about eighteen months, Andrew ventured back to Melbourne and, once again, we lost touch for a while. A few years later, we reached out when we were planning a trip to the snowfields. In true Andrew style, he immediately said, “You need to stay with us.” So we spent a few wonderful days with Andrew and Karen at their home in the Dandenongs. After that, we kept in touch more regularly, especially when I travelled to Melbourne for work. Then, a couple of years ago, Andrew called me and said he had some good news and some bad news. The bad news was that he and Karen had separated. The good news was that he was moving back to Perth. From that moment, it was as though we had never missed a beat. Andrew embraced the Perth lifestyle, loving the weather and spending time walking along the beaches and around the river in East Perth. It is not often in life that you meet someone like Andrew. He was always willing to stop and have a chat with anyone—and I mean anyone. Before long, he knew everyone around his apartment in East Perth, and the same thing happened when he later moved to Rockingham. I can credit Andrew for introducing me to outdoor cricket, which in turn led me into softball, basketball, and so many friendships formed through sport over the years. All because one guy standing behind a counter at a sports centre in Altona North welcomed a couple of strangers from Perth onto his team. Andrew, we will always remember your friendship, your generosity, and the many memories we shared together. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives. With love, Lorraine & Phil Western Australia