The Oceania Football Confederation would like to dedicate this page to condolence messages for the late Charles J. Dempsey CBE.
If you have any stories, photos or messages you would like to pass on, please send to [email protected] so that the world can share and appreciate the life of Charles Dempsey.
David Chung – President Papua New Guinea Football Association
Can you please send our deepest condolences to the families of late Charles Dempsey who has passed away. It is with regret that Oceania Football has lost a mentor who has been very instrumental in bringing up Oceania Football.
David Chung.
President PNGFA.
Inca Chow – DJ Graphics
From the managment & staff of DJ Graphics, Impact Sports, Unisound & all members of the DJ League Clubs, we would also like you to kindly pass our sincere condolence to his family. May our Merciful Father bless everyone during this time of sorrow. May his soul rest in peace.
God bless,
Inca Chow
Nelson H U Boso – Project Manager of Impact Sports
I learnt with sadness the passing of Charles Dempsey and with your indulgement I would like you to pass on to OFC my heartfelt condolence during this sad moment in football. I happened to have had a brief opportunity joining with Charles Dempsey at an OFC Technical meeting at Brisbane in 1984. Solomon Islands was an Associate Member then and it was during this meeting that he made a passing remark to me urging Solomon Islands Football Federation to establish some groundwork in paving the way to attain full FIFA Membership status. Four years later the then SIFF President the late Alan Boso tabled the final submission that addmitted the Solomon Islands.
I therefore wish to express my profound gratitude, though post-humus, to the work of Charles Dempsey in making sure Solomon’s had a speedy entry and I always believe that his belief in Solomon Islands had not been regretted.
I on behalf of the family of the late Alan Boso hereby convey to the surviving family of Charles Dempsey and also the OFC Family our sadness at his passing and may his soul rest in peace.
Nelson H U Boso
Project Manager of Impact Sports.
Football Federation Australia
It is with regret that Football Federation Australia (FFA) learned today of the passing of Charles Dempsey CBE in Auckland.
FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, paid tribute to Mr Dempsey as a pioneer of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and former Vice-President of FIFA.
OFC was founded in 1966 with the founding members including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
"Charlie worked tirelessly for almost 40 years to advance football in the Pacific region and to ensure that Oceania had a place at the table of FIFA.
"Those of us who have known him, and worked with him, over the years appreciated his dedication and commitment to this cause. He helped put football in the Oceania region well and truly on the map."
Mr Lowy expressed condolences on behalf of the football family in Australia to Mr Dempsey’s wife and family, and to the OFC of which Mr Dempsey was a Life Member.
Edward M. Lennie – Referee Development Manager – Football West
It is with deep sadness that I have herd the news on the passing of Charlie, please pass on my personal condolences to his family, and also to OFC. Charlie was a very strong supporter of Referees and myself in particular during my time in Oceania.
On behalf of All Australian Referees that have been associated with OFC and Charlie , over a long number of years , our deepest sympathies.
Regards,
Eddie
Shane Goldfinch – Board Member – Mainland Football
Hi
I knew Charlie for over 25 years and meet him at many FIFA events around the world. I found his passion for the game, never dimmed and that he spoke of the game with such passion.
My family meeting him at his home and looking through his scrapbook of the letters he received from around the world in support after the World Cup vote is a moment I will remember.
Thanks for the memories Charlie
Shane Goldfinch
Board Member – Mainland Football
Eileen Langridge QSM NZF Life Member – Cantabrian
1982 – fund raising in Christchurch – Canterbury held at Western AFC Clubrooms – Charlie headed the troops which my husband and I helped organise -he told it as it was -it was possibly the for-runner of RED SOCKS the letter of thanks signed by Charlie has a special place in my book of memories of 40 years of Administration in the South Island.
The spirit of Charlie lives on – the Bottles of Guiness a must on the list.
Him standing at QE11 Stadium (Glasshouse) egging the lads on with only seconds to go when NZ U17’s Men beat Australia for the World Cup. He had no time for fools. He never seemed to forget a face always a hug and a kiss for the girls.
Charlie was larger than life and his initiative and drive for the beautiful
game can never be surpassed.
Go in peace Charlie, the game in New Zealand an Oceania will never be the same.
Sincerely Eileen
Family of the Late Allan K. Boso
It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of the Late Mr. Charles Dempsey. Our thoughts are with you and we extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Charles Dempsey.
The friendship shared between the late Dempsey and our father, the Late Allan Boso, is one that we grew up with and appreciated so much because of the mutual respect they had for each other and also of their shared vision to develop football in the region. Our father often spoke fondly of Mr. Charles Dempsey as a fair and dedicated man.
Football in the region owes a lot to the hard work of Mr. Charles Dempsey. This is especially so for Solomon Islands, who owes a lot to his knowledge and vision. Because of his visionary ventures the growth of the Beautiful Game is healthy throughout Oceania.
We are extremely thankful to the late Mr. Charles Dempsey for his work in football for the region and for being a friend to our father.
To the family of the late Dempsey, May God Bless You All in this time of Bereavement.
Joseph Z. Boso
For the family of the Late Allan K. Boso
Tadao Murata – Special Advisor – Japan Football Association
I have been very astonished to hear of the sudden passing away of Mr. Charles Dempsey and please accept my sincere condolence to his death.
I remember time spent with him during World Cup 1994 and 1998 and also his assistances given to us for the campaign of the 2002 World Cup.
Please convey my condolence to his beloved family.
With my deepest sympathy,
Tadao MURATA
Special Advisor, Japan Football Association
FIFA World Cup Committee Member in 1994 USA and 1998 France
Leota Moroga Le-Mamea – Auckland Samoa Soccer Association
We would like to express our condolences to the family of Charlie Dempsey. Charlie was a great supporter of th
e Auckland Samoa Soccer Association in NZ and it’s vision and purpose. He was a great father and mentor.
May our good Lord be with you in your time of sorrows.
Leota Moroga Le-Mamea
President
Auckland Samoa Soccer Association
Auckland
New Zealand
Beverley and David Brand
It was with regret that we learned of the passing of Charlie Dempsey this week.
To call him a character is an understatement but it was with that ‘character’ that he made his mark in the football world and achieved so much.
He also was very encouraging to others in the Beautiful Game and it was in this instance we first came to know him when he encouraged my husband, David, to accept the position of National Coach of Samoa and then kept in touch with the progress made.
David and I wish to send our heartfelt condolences to Annie and the rest of the family at this time.
Rest in peace, Charlie. We will miss you
Beverley and David Brand
