It is with great sorrow that we must advise you of the death of our life member and long-serving Umpires Adviser Paul Baleisa.
Paul suffered a major heart attack last weekend and died peacefully on Tuesday evening at Sunshine Hospital. Paul was a magnificent servant of the Mercantile Cricket Association. After finishing his playing days as Gunbower First XI's opening bowler in 1989, Paul became an outstanding umpire. Paul umpired 243 matches, 70 in A Grade, 7 Grand Finals, two of which were A Grade Grand Finals. He was voted the Association's best umpire by captains on three occasions.
Paul was the MCA's Umpire Advisor for the last 18 years. He served as MCA Treasurer for four seasons and secretary of the Umpires Association for seven seasons. He was made a life member of the MCA in 2008.
Beyond his services to umpiring, Paul will be remembered by everyone as a true gentleman, always good-natured and affable.
Paul's funeral service will be Thursday June 27 at Spotswood Football/Cricket Club, 1 Creek St, Spotswood, at 10.30am. For those who cannot attend in person the service will be live streamed at https://www.vividstream.com.au/live/paul-baleisa
