Ranjith Susantha Jayatilaka
17/2/1944 - 17/3/2020
Aged 76 years
The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of
Ranjith Susantha Jayatilaka will be held in
the Cirrus Reflection Space at Bunurong Memorial Park,
790 Frankston Dandenong Road, Dandenong South
On MONDAY March 23rd 2020 commencing at 2pm.
Private Cremation
UPDATE as of 20/03/2020
Due to the current climate and recent government restrictions,
Ranjith's service is limited to 39 people.
We kindly request no hugs or handshakes.
Direct eye contact, loving words and a warm smile are as meaningful to the family as a traditional handshake or hug.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this time.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any queries 9706 9555
28 Tributes
Mohan Liyanage
My deepest sympathies to Jayatilaka family. May his soul Rest In Peace with God’s blessings
RICKEY BULNER
to Carina & Family
my deepest sympathies on the passing of Ranjit.A true champion in all walks of life specially in cricket , one of the finest.
I have been lucky, to have known him and learnt so much from the early days in the 1960’s from Kandy. Cannot forget the fine effort in the first ever G/final we won for the Melbourne Wanderers 1982/83.( 23 overs with 21 maidens)and the following years of his master batting. will be sadly missed
R.I.P. MY FRIEND.
Rickey and Ingrid Bulner & family .
Russell de Jong
I am very sorry to have seen what has happened to you Ranjith in the last few months of your life.
I will always remember the way you and Carina treated me at your home and the laughs we had. I only wish that I had met you a lot earlier in my life to guide me through my teenage cricketing days. Nevertheless after we met at the Wanderers we all had wonderful times, times that your teammates and all who knew you will remember forever.
Rest in Peace now and say a hello from all of us to Sweenie and Dunkie.
Dale Bulner
Dear Carina and Jayatilaka family
Our deepest sympathies on the passing of Ranjith. The family were all very sad to hear about it.
I have very fond memories of the conversations and laughs we had and the kindness you showed me and the girls whenever we stayed with you both. I am so sorry you never got to go back to your motherland – Sri Lanka. Thanks for the friendship Ranjith.
Rest in eternal peace.
Dale, Tahnee, Neill, Melaan and their families
Jason Bulner
Mate.
The water has flowed thick and fast, we had ripples, waterfalls, grade six rapids and sometimes a Tsunamis. Most of all it reflected a David Gower cover driver, a Viv Richards pull shot or a Dennis Lille leg cutter – pure and sublime.
You have left your mark on many and taught me more good than bad – thank you.
Rest In Peace.
Love Jason, Lizette, Jayden, Cassius, Kiara, Elijah and Isabelle.
Paddy Shine
Very sorry to hear of the passing of former Melbourne Wanderers 1st XI Captain, Ranjit. I never had the honour of playing a game with you, but I thoroughly enjoyed your stories and our chats about the early days of the Wanderers. RIP Ranjit. Sympathies to the Jayatilaka family…
Gauri
Sad news indeed.
As you left Sri Lanka at a very young age, I have faint memories of you., but I feel I know you from all I’ve heard of you from your sister who adored you.
I know you were looked up to by your siblings and loved dearly . I remember the many references to Loku Aiyah, in conversations, they were proud of your achievements and how you were even a father figure to them.
Due to the circumstances their inability to be with you at this time is a heavy burden for sure.
You will be dearly missed, their love will be with you always.
REST IN PEACE
Christopher Keegel
Ranjith was a fine decent and engaging man , my thoughts and prayers are with you Carina and family . Rest in peace .
Oswin Wright
Deepest sympathies to Carina and the Jayatilaka family.
You did it tough in your final months. I used to love talking to you about the game of cricket. A very knowledgeable person whose stories and opinions were always engaging.
Rest In Peace Ranjith while we work out how to combat Coronavirus.
Gerry Melder
You made us all feel like we could rule the world in anything we wanted to do or achieve.
You always had time to listen to everybody and guide them through.
You made us all stand tall around you.
You will always be in my favourite memories.
You were always a gentleman.
You are gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
Val, Gerry and the boys!
Ed Clement - MWCC President
Our deepest sympathies on the passing of Ranjith. To the Jayatilaka family and on behalf of the Melbourne Wanderers Cricket Club we send our condolences. We are sorry for your loss, many players and ex players will be thinking of you at this sad time. Rest In Peace Wanderer.
Ed Clement
President MWCC.
Miles Cook
A true champion on and off the cricket field. I will always remember how, no matter how angry or frustrated you were, you still managed to get your message across in a calm, soft spoken manner. I will always have fond memories of the years we shared as friends and team mates. My condolences to your family during this sad time. RIP
Rex Clements
Deepest sympathies to Tissa and the Jayatilaka family. Though we met briefly, you leave behind memories of a friendly, knowledgeable, caring and a jovial person. Gone too soon. RIP. Rex & Jenny
Derrick Melder
Deepest sympathies to Carina & the Jayatilaka Family.
They say that the Lord chooses the good ones first. In you he has selected one of natures true Gentleman! You were always compassionate, caring and an Inspiration to us all. Thank you for your coaching, guidance and direction, not just on the cricket field but throughout life’s journey. We enjoyed your companionship immensely.
A sincere and loyal friend, You will be terribly missed.
Rest in Peace.
Derrick Melder
Jerome Caspersz
Ranjith it’s great to hear some of the snippets from others about how you lived your life. From my experiences with you, I will remember and be grateful most for how you have been a very loyal member of our extended family for many years through tough and good times with genuine care and interest. For my family, Pa, Mum, Carina and the boys.
I would especially highlight to you that your support and presence to myself and Di with my mothers passing was very important to us and we thank you for that.
Your flaws, shared by many of us, are outshined by these qualities that I will remember and take learnings from.
I don’t think it really matters where and when we pass away, I think it’s much more important where and what we’ve been. I think your family can be very proud of you.
Rest In Peace mate
Rohan Wirasinha
Dear Ranjith
We have known each other for over 50 years. You and your brothers were my dearest and closest friends in Kandy, all those years ago. I shall never forget the kindnesses extended to me by your parents you and the rest of your family. You were a really good friend and mentor, a talented cricketer and a Gentleman in all walks of life. Feeling very sad. I am really glad that we were able to meet up a few times in the last few weeks, albeit it could have been in better circumstances. Maesri and I send our deepest sympathies to Carina and the rest of the Jayatilaka Family. RIP my Friend. You are truly missed
Rohan Wiirasinha
Blake Stanwick
I’ve known Ranjith since 1981. He was the kind of friend you could count on under any circumstances. We have seen countless movies, sporting events both live and on TV, shared innumerable meals and have had I don’t know how many meaningful conversations about every topic under the sun. You were kind and well informed. Sally and I are going to miss you Ranjith. You memory will live with us always.
You have gone with God.
Blake & Sally Stanwick.
Gauri
Sad news indeed.
Ranjith,
As you left Sri Lanka at a very young age, I have faint memories of you., but I feel I know you from all I’ve heard of you from your sister who adored you.
I know you were looked up to by your siblings and loved dearly . I remember the many references to Loku Aiyah, in conversations, they were proud of your achievements and how you were even a father figure to them.
Due to the circumstances their inability to be with you at this time is a heavy burden for sure.
You will be dearly missed, their love will be with you always.
REST IN PEACE
Sylvia Ephraums
Dear Srimal Lance and the Jayatilaka Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time
Ranjith played the game of cricket to the last run like a true sportman
And his life will always be a treasured memory
Rest in Peace
Sylvia Grace Audrey Gladwin Louise Pat and Ron
Bernie
Ranjith, thank you for being a great friend of our family for more than 35 years. Earl remembers wonderful times with you, going to the footy in Moorabbin as a child. He says your knowledge of cricket was fantastic. You will be dearly missed. Our love and prayers to your loved ones.
Rest In Peace.
Melisse, Lalith, Earl, Bernie and Anthony
Hayden Kelly
Jay
My friend since 1972 . I will miss you immensely . I guess the birthday catchup and our christmas luncjh are on hold permanently now . You were my first boss and we formed a bond around our love of cricket.
Fond memories of cricket in mildura you were our black Bradman and you did hook the quicks off your eyebrows mate .
A wonderful loyal friend at rest
Hayden Kelly
Hayden Kelly
Jay
My first boss became my friend for for nearly 50 years . I will miss our birthday and christmas catchups and our regular cricket conversations .
Fond memories of cricket in Mildura and your most graceful and effective style .
Tough last few months for you mate
Rest Well my friend your life was well lived
Hayden Kelly
John McNamara
Carina, you do know me, however, Jay played a key role in the early years of my adult life. He was playing coach of Telegraph Cricket Club when I arrived down from Bendigo as a fresh faced 21 year old. He was just the greatest of blokes (and not a bad cricketer too) who made my settlement in the “Big Smoke” so easy through his friendship and support. We had some great times together over a number of seasons (both on and off the field) but as happens in life we then went our different ways.
I bumped into him at the G years later, my attention caught as I was wandering along by that distinctive voice growling out “Maaacca”. It was great to see that smiling flash of teeth and briefly share what had been happening in our lives.
It is so sad to here he is now gone, however, he will always be fondly remembered.
John “Macca” McNamara
Tony Kelly
Rest is peace Jay. Your 50 (not out) of 50 overs at Mildura Country Week Cricket is still the gutsiest innings I have ever seen. A true gentleman in all elements of life. A great wit and a loving caring nature. We have lost “one in a million”.
Life has many twists and turns and you didn’t deserve those last few months.
Gone but never forgotten.
Damian Pinder
Rest In Peace mate, one of God’s gentlemen, I never heard you say a bad word about anyone. I’m glad I saw you at the cto reunion a couple of years ago. Enjoyed every minute of opening the batting with you for telegraph cc. Best square cut in the comp. Condolences to jays family. Damian Pinder
Gerry Cooney
Jay was a lovely and compassionate man who most supportive as I recovered from a serious accident many years ago. It was terrific to see him at recent Telegraph reunions.
Ralph Fletcher
Only in the last few days have all past members of the Telegraph Cricket Club been made aware re Jay’s passing. The club was formed in the late 60’s made up of personnel from the Chief Telegraph Office and later became known as Melbourne Central Cricket Club. Jay was both a player and a coach. His highly skilled batting and his ability to bowl line and length made him a most valuable team member. We shared great times with Jay, his infectious smile and loveable nature endeared him to everyone. Well played mate – it was great to see you at a couple of reunions and at the CTO “Natter Day” lunches. RIP – Ralph “Noddy” Fletcher – not only from myself but Colin Rose and all the boys who played cricket with you.