Vale Paul Ramsay AO
Football NSW has been saddened to hear of the passing of former Sydney FC Chairman and shareholder Paul Ramsay AO.
Mr Ramsay passed away at his home in Bowral after he suffered a heart attack. He was 78.
Mr Ramsay was Chairman of Hyundai A-League club Sydney FC from April 2009 when he was appointed to the Board of Directors and served as Chairman through to March 2012. Paul Ramsay Holdings is currently a shareholder of Sydney FC.
FFA Director, Mr Chris Rex, is currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Health Care.
“We lost one of the incredible Australians last night with the passing of Paul Ramsay,” said FFA Chairman Mr Frank Lowy AC. “Paul was a kind and generous person, a successful businessman and a significant contributor to the recent rise of Australian football.
“He served as Chairman of Sydney FC and his passing is a sad day for Australian society due to his passionate and relentless work in the health sector and private health insurance.”
FFA CEO David Gallop also paid tribute to Mr Ramsay: “The Football Family is saddened by the loss of Paul Ramsay overnight,” Mr Gallop said. “He was a significant shareholder and former Chairman of Sydney FC and is one of many owners and shareholders who have contributed greatly to the birth and on-going success of the A-League.”
Mr Ramsay founded Ramsay Health Care as a 28-year-old in in 1964 by opening a psychiatric Hospital in Sydney, which has been expanded to include 151 hospitals in Australia, France, England, Indonesia and Malaysia, admitting almost 1.5 million patients every year and employing 30,000 people.
Mr Ramsay also played a significant role in the media industry as owner of Prime Media, which he purchased in 1983 and sold his stake in February 2014.
In 2002 Mr Ramsay was recognised for his noted philanthropy when he became an Officer of the Order of Australia and was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Football NSW would like to extend its sincere condolences to Mr Ramsay’s family and friends.
