THE pain felt by the family and friends of the late Steve Irwin is still as deep as if his death were only yesterday.

Today marks the second anniversary of when the Far North, the nation and much of the world stood still as the news broke that the seemingly indestructible Crocodile Hunter was dead.

The 44-year-old father of two died after he was speared through the heart by the barb of a large stingray. He was filming a documentary off Port Douglas at the time.

For close friend and manager John Stainton, who was at the scene when Irwin died, the day is forever seared into his memory.

"I do not honestly think I will ever get over it," he said.

"Sometimes you cannot help but relive what happened that day."

Mr Irwin’s friend told The Cairns Post that the sudden death of the larger-than-life wildlife warrior was still very difficult for wife Terri, daughter Bindi and son Bob.

"Basically, it is still a hard thing for Terri and the kids," he said.

"I do not think it will ever go away."

Terri Irwin said her family was very grateful to the people from across the globe who had sent "millions" of heartfelt tributes and messages of support after her husband’s death. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who sent messages of love and support over the past two years, we greatly appreciate it," she said.

But rather than dwell on his passing, Ms Irwin said people should rejoice in his life and his legacy.

"We will be celebrating Steve’s life and achievements through Steve Irwin Day on November 15," she said.

Mr Stainton said there was not a single day when he was with Bindi that they did not talk about her
father.

"We still talk about him like he was here," he said.

"He is somewhere close." Despite speculation that the crocodile hunter’s daughter was being pushed into the limelight Mr Stainton said Bindi had made her own choice to carry on her father’s work.

"Bindi is fulfilling her dad’s ambition," he said.

"She is doing it of her own accord."

When The Cairns Post spoke to Mr Stainton he was at sea filming a segment for a Discovery Channel "when animals attack" style show.

View our crocodile picture gallery.

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