League legend loses father May 25, 2005 THE father of New South Wales rugby league legend Steve Mortimer has died after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car and crashed. Ian Charles Mortimer, 72, died near a family property in the NSW central tableland village of Millthorpe about 8am (AEST) yesterday, police said. Mr Mortimer was the patriarch of the Bulldogs league clan that included brothers Steve, Glen, Chris and Peter. Police said Mr Mortimer was driving along Millthorpe Rd when he apparently suffered a heart attack. His vehicle veered off the road and hit a tree. A passer-by tried to resuscitate Mr Mortimer until an ambulance arrived. He was taken to Orange Base Hospital, where he was declared dead. Originally from Wagga Wagga, the Mortimers ran an art school near Millthorpe for 20 years. Steve Mortimer, a premiership-winning captain with the Bulldogs, was the first Blues captain to lead NSW to a series win in the State of Origin in 1985. Advertisement: This year's series, which is centred on the 25th anniversary of the Origin concept, begins tonight at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. AAP
