Alan was chairman of Parramatta Eels and Parramatta Leagues clubs between 1988 and 2009 and made an enormous contribution to each organisation.
In addition to his love of the Eels, he had a long and distinguished career in and around Parramatta and the Cumberland area and made a major impact on the community that he loved and championed.
Born in 1937, Alan was the second eldest of eight children and grew up in Granville.
He undertook National Service at 18, then worked for James Hardie & Co for 47 years.
In this position, he became involved with the building of Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Westmead when it was re-located from Camperdown in 1996.
This created an enduring relationship between the football and leagues club and RMH Westmead that is still going strong today.
Granville Waratah SFC President Noel Dona said Alan was a “lovely gentleman”.
“I used to work for an Eels sponsor and met Alan through them,” he said.
“When I told him I was a Granville lad who loved soccer, his eyes lit up and he told me he used to play soccer barefooted at school along with all the other kids because their parents couldn’t afford shoes.
“He said they used to kick the ball around the playground like that but he wouldn’t have it any other way, saying ‘no one was rich but we were happy and full of life’.
“He was always offering to help and the most likeable, humble man you could ever meet.
“Our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Merle and his children Karen, Craig and Grant.”
Cumberland Councillor and former Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Paul Garrard, said Mr Overton was regarded as ‘Mr Parramatta in his heyday’ and would be sadly missed.
“He was synonymous with the Parra Leagues Club, always available for participation with the wider community, a thorough gentleman and very community minded,” he said.
