Tim Stoney has died at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer. 

The respected journalist, whose 30-year career saw stints at Channel Ten and the ABC, passed away on Saturday surrounded by family. 

He is survived by his wife, fellow journalist Mary Gearin, and their two children, daughter Maggie and son Patrick. 

Gearin paid tribute to her husband in a heartbreaking message shared to Facebook prior to his death. 

‘I’m not on socials much anymore but I figure it comes in handy right now as a virtual party for this man, Tim Stoney,’ she began.

‘The absolute best father his kids could ask for. Brought them up so I could gallivant, and in doing so produced two stellar human beings. 

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Tim Stoney (right) has died at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, fellow journalist Mary Gearin (left), and their two children, daughter Maggie and son Patrick

He is survived by his wife, fellow journalist Mary Gearin, and their two children, daughter Maggie and son Patrick. Al pictured 

‘A lover of words and wit and debate and travel and history and politics and sport and jazz and whiskey.

‘Fiercely loyal family member and friend. 

‘Journo, writer, teacher, media trainer, Demons ruckman, St Kilda fast bowler, decent bat, the most dedicated basketball and athletics dad. 

‘And just always, always, ridiculously good-looking.

‘Fate is dealing a beyond-cruel card that could see this big fella leave a 6’5″ hole in our hearts within a few weeks, but this post is to celebrate him while he’s here.

‘Love you forever Timmy.’  

Tim carved out his career covering news and sports at Channel Ten for three years. 

He then headed off to Melbourne to take the role of news and sports reporter for SBS World News Australia, where he stayed for four years. 

The respected journalist, whose 30-year career saw stints at Channel Ten and the ABC, passed away on Saturday surrounded by family

Following his time at Ten, Tim held the role of news and sports reporter for SBS World News Australia, where he stayed for four years. Tim also put in a five-year stint working at the ABC

Tim directed a film about the lives of Indian students in Melbourne during his days at SBS. 

Tim also put in a five-year stint working at the ABC before landing a role with Radio Australia.

During his varied career, Tim reported from the Beijing Paralympics, filed reports from the Middle East and South East Asia, and spent a year working for China Radio International in Beijing. 

More recently, he worked for a communications company where he offered training in media interview and presentation skills. 

Gen Brammall, News Corp’s Head of PR, had fond memories of Tim from his days as a cadet back in the 1990s. 

‘His self-deprecating wit and intimidating intelligence were hallmarks of a man who left a lasting impression on our newsroom,’ Brammall said.

A further tribute came from Kate McGrath, Stoney’s former Channel Ten colleague, who told Adelaide Now: ‘Tim was special’.

‘A gifted journalist and communicator, he was kind, curious, witty, had great passion for sport and history, and just happened to look like a matinee idol,’ Kate said. 

‘Above all else, Tim loved his family, especially Mary and his two children. 

‘I know his Ten News family all feel a great loss.’

‘A gifted journalist and communicator, he was kind, curious, witty, had great passion for sport and history, and just happened to look like a matinee idol,’ Channel Ten’s Kate McGrath said