The earth paused for a brief moment yesterday when the word was passed that Steve Irwin - famed Croc Hunter, television star, and unofficial Oz Ambassador of Tourism - met his end in a freak accident off the coast of Australia, the shocking news received with equal measures of disbelief and sadness throughout the world. Irwin was and will always be a living endorsement for Australia and her animals, a fitting legacy even if it was the only entry in his book of life, but of course it is not.

We can add husband and father to the list, as well as environmentalist, conservator, showman, educator, wildlife warrior, and hero. It is no surprise that the latter is the most often spoken by the journalists, celebrities, and even us regular folks who have expressed grief at his passing online and in the traditional media outlets. Make no mistake, for many Aussies, ex-pats, and those who wish they were Aussies, Hero is what Steve was.

Doing What He Loved

His death came in the water, while he was doing what he did best and what he loved to do swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas where he was filming an underwater documentary - when a stingray resting on the sandy bottom pierced his chest with its barbed tail. An almost unheard of accident that according to the experts was probably the result of a defensive panic-reaction in the ray caused by Irwin's close proximity, there have only been a handful of similar accidents world-wide..

Irwin certainly knew that he was in trouble, though according to witnesses at the scene it is likely that he was not aware of how serious the injury was when he pulled the barbed tail out of his own chest. Details of the extent of the injuries have not been announced, pending a full examination and autopsy expected later next week. Irwin's wife and children were not present at the scene, and are en route from Tasmania where they were trekking in Cradle Mountain National Park.

A Real Life Crocodile Dundee

Patrons gathered at Liam Maguire's Pub on Cape Cod in Massachusetts (USA) traded news on Irwin, who was the topic of conversation at the busy pub. "I know it sounds silly but I always thought of him as the real Crocodile Dundee, except that instead of killing them he rescued them," Angie Preston allowed. "He was funny but really smart, and he had such a great personality too," Preston says. "I feel so bad for his family and for his Zoo - what will they do without him?" asked Kate Sullivan, a Dublin, Ireland university student working for the summer on the Cape.

"My mum's crushed, everyone is," Bob Harris of Brisbane offered. On holiday in the USA Harris fondly recalled his several visits to Australia Zoo, where he saw Irwin perform. "I just spoke with my mum this morning, the nation's in shock; they'll have to give him a State funeral right? He deserves one!" Harris declared, and then offered a toast to the Croc Man.

Decades of Public Service

Irwin's star began its rise with his documentary The Crocodile Hunter in 1992, and his over-the-top persona and uniquely Aussie-Bloke image made him a favorite guest on talk shows in America. In 2002 he made his big screen debut in Crocodile Hunter: The Collision Course, which resulted in his achieving A-list fame all over the world. As a celebrity spokesman for the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, Irwin appeared in advertising campaigns warning travellers not to bring foreign matter into the country, and he was a vocal critic of the slaughter of Australian wildlife, which he championed as part of his personal mission to educate the public about crocodiles.

As the owner of Australia Zoo, Irwin reached out to tens of thousands of Australians and visitors from all over the world every year, delivering his message of care and conservation while interacting with the very animals he cared so much about. While he has a special place in the hearts of Australians, the rest of the world knows him best for his television shows, and his signature cry of "Crikey!"

Steve Irwin was 44 years old at the time of his death and is survived by his wife, Terri, his daughter Bindi and son Bob, and family and friends all over Australia.