John Berylson death updates — Millwall owner dies after Massachusetts car accident leaving behind wife and kids
MILLWALL FC owner John Berylson has died at the age of 70, the Championship club confirmed.
Millwall said in a statement: "John’s sudden and tragic passing will unquestionably impact all those who were fortunate to have known him.
"He was a truly great man, incredibly devoted to his family, and a person of such remarkable generosity, warmth, and kindness."
It has since been revealed by police that Mr Berylson died after a single car rollover in , , after his Range Rover careered off the road.
Mr Berylson is survived by his wife Amy and his three children.
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Millwall players to pay respects
On Monday Millwall's players will fly back to England to pay their respects to John Berylson.
The squad is currently on a pre-season training camp in Alicante, Spain, where they held a minute's silence for the Championship club's late owner on Wednesday morning.
Mr Berylson's family was keen for the team and manager, Gary Rowett, to stay in Alicante so their preparation for next season would not be interrupted, but they will fly back on Saturday and plan to gather at the Den at the start of next week.
Rowett: 'He will never be forgotten'
Paying tribute to John Berylson following his tragic death in a horror car crash in Falmouth, Massachusetts, Millwall manager Gary Rowett has said "he will never be forgotten."
Rowett told Telegraph Sport: “When I first met John during the interview process, straight away what struck me was how stable the club was, and him being the owner was the main reason for that.
“At the end of last season we’d lost against Blackburn and he called me the next day, and was talking for 10 minutes about how we can move forward. He always used to know what to say at the right times, and that’s a real skill for an owner
“He just wanted to support us and know what our ideas were. He will never be forgotten.”
Millwall manager opens up on devastating loss
Millwall manager Gary Rowett has opened up on the tragic loss of the club's owner, John Berylson.
Speaking from the squad’s base in Spain, Rowett told Telegraph Sport: “John was a very unique owner and there’s not many like him left.
"He will be a massive gaping hole in Millwall Football Club for years to come, and football as well.
“It’s devastating for all of us but the response from football shows you the high esteem he was held in.
"Rivalries have been put to one side and it shows what a popular person he was.
“In a very small way I hope his family are reading the comments and taking some solace from that.
“We appreciate the support and love from everyone because he was such a great guy who cared about the club so much.”
Credit: Alamy Book of condolences available to fans
Millwall fans can pay their respects to John Berylson in a book of condolences at The Den stadium, which was made available from 11am yesterday morning.
Fans have rushed to social media to honour the late Millwall owner.
One wrote: “RIP John Berylson.
“It’s not often a football club owner is unanimously loved by all that club’s fans. I think that says everything about the man.”
When did Amy Smith and John Berylson get married?
Their engagement was announced in the on June 4, 1978, with the article saying they planned to marry in August of that year.
It is unclear when they actually got married.
The couple have three children together – Jennifer, James, and Elizabeth.
Like their mum, little is known about them and they stay firmly out of the spotlight.
What have police said?
Lt. Michael Simoneau, of Falmouth Police Department, confirmed to The Sun that Mr Berylson was cut from the wreckage but sadly died at the scene.
He said: "The deceased vehicle operator from the fatal crash on Sippewissett Road on July 4, has been identified as John G. Berylson, 70, of Wellesley Hills, Ma.
"The preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, a 2019 Range Rover was travelling south on Sippewissett Road when it lost control on a curve, and left the roadway.
"The vehicle rolled over into a ravine and came to rest against a tree.
"The cause of the crash remains under investigation."
John Berylson’s successes
John Berylson was beloved by Millwall fans for his committed ownership of the club.
Berylson oversaw the club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2013, and then the quarters in 2017 and 2019.
The Lions were also promoted to the Championship in 2017 under his ownership.
Beloved by fans
John Berylson was a beloved chairman by football fans.
A video from May has recirculated on social media, which shows fans on their feet cheering as he entered the arena.
One fan reshared the clip and wrote: “This is what John Berylson meant to Millwall and all of the fans. Thank you for everything you have done for this football club. I hope they have the finest cigar waiting for you in heaven. RIP.”
Another fan tweeted: “Truly saddened to hear the tragic passing of our beloved chairman , may your rest in peace… the world has lost a great man and we’ve have lost the best chairman we’ve ever had RIP John Berylson.”
Tributes flood social media
Players past and present have been paying tribute to John Berylson after his untimely death.
The Lions supporters have also been paying their own respects to their beloved chairman.
Ex-striker John Marquis said: “Devastating news. A unbelievable man foremost & a unbelievable Chairman who worked so hard to make @MillwallFC the club it is today.”My thoughts are with the Berylson family at this difficult time. RIP John Berylson.”
How was John’s death revealed?
Berylson, who first became involved with the Championship club in 2006, died on Tuesday morning.
The club have given no further details.
“It is with a collective broken heart and the deepest of regret that we announce the passing of our beloved owner and chairman, John Berylson,” Millwall posted on .
“John, who turned 70 last month, lost his life in a tragic accident on Tuesday morning, and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with his wife, Amy, his three children, Jennifer, James, and Elizabeth, and the rest of the Berylson family.
“John’s sudden and tragic passing will unquestionably impact all those who were fortunate to have known him. He was a truly great man, incredibly devoted to his family, and a person of such remarkable generosity, warmth, and kindness.
“He lived a storied life, one full of colour and joy, and was infinitely thoughtful of others with an endless desire to share his immense knowledge and experiences to help people.
“Under John’s passionate leadership and guidance, Millwall has enjoyed tremendous success and stability.
“Since first becoming involved in the club in 2006, he has presided over some of the greatest moments in Millwall’s history, and his influence in providing the platform for those was immeasurable.
“John continued to speak eagerly about the new season and his vision for the future, and any success moving forward will be in his memory and honour. It will be his legacy.
“John revelled in the club’s underdog status and mentality. He related strongly to such values and identity and adored Millwall supporters. He was fiercely loyal to all his staff, and both they and the fan base will miss him beyond measure.”
Cause of death confirmed
Millwall owner John Berylson died in a horror car crash, police have confirmed.
The 70-year-old American businessman was driving in Falmouth, Massachusetts when his Range Rover careered off the road on Tuesday.
Police and fire crews raced to the area and he had to be cut free from the wreckage, but sadly he died at the scene.
When did John Berylson get involved with Millwall?
Mr Berylson first got involved with the London club in 2006 and appointed Kenny Jackett as his first manager in 2007.
He oversaw the club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2013, and then the quarters in 2017 and 2019.
The Lions were also promoted to the Championship in 2017 under his ownership.
Just weeks before his death, Berylson was given a standing ovation at the Millwall stadium.
Where did Millwall finish in the Championship last season?
Millwall had a strong 2022/23 campaign but narrowly missed out on the playoffs.
The London-based club finished 8th after a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on the final day of the season.
The game would end with owner John Berlyson getting a standing ovation from the crowd in his last-ever appearance at The Den.
When did Amy Smith and John Berylson get married?
Their engagement was announced in the on June 4, 1978, with the article saying they planned to marry in August of that year.
It is unclear when they actually got married.
The couple have three children together – Jennifer, James, and Elizabeth.
Like their mum, little is known about them and they stay firmly out of the spotlight.
Fans continue to remember John Berylson following tragic passing
Fans have flooded social media this morning with tributes for beloved Millwall owner John Berylson.
One Twitter user wrote: “The amount of posts about John Berylson’s tragic death show how loved he was at Millwall.
“Loads of people who joined the club said they knew what the club was about. However, John did ‘get us’. More than any other that I remember. He was one of us. Will always be one of us.”
While another added: “RIP John Berylson. What a chairman. He had time for everyone and we couldn’t have asked for better. A huge loss to us at the club and huge condolences to his family.”
West Ham pays tribute to John Berylson
Millwall’s bitter rivals West Ham have shared a statement of support following the death of John Berylson.
The Premier League club wrote: “Everyone at West Ham United sends their deepest condolences to John’s family, friends and all at Millwall FC during this tragic time.”
Millwall and West Ham have one of the fiercest rivalries in all of football.
John Berylson’s successes
John Berylson was beloved by Millwall fans for his committed ownership of the club.
Berylson oversaw the club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2013, and then the quarters in 2017 and 2019.
The Lions were also promoted to the Championship in 2017 under his ownership.
Fans honor John Berylson
Fans are taking to social media to express their love for John Berylson after his death.
One fan wrote: "In an age of football owners destroying clubs, alienating fans and haemorrhaging money, I truly believe we had the best Chairman in the country."
Another added: "The greatest owner a club could ever ask for, A Millwall legend forever."
Everything to know about John Berylson
John Berylson was the beloved owner and chairman of Millwall football club.
He first became involved in the South London club back in 2006.
The club achieved promotion to the Championship under Berylson's stewardship in 2010 and 2017.
The Millwall legend lifted the playoff trophy on the pitch at Wembley six years ago.
Berylson was also a very successful businessman and is the founder of the private equity company Chestnut Hill Ventures LLC.
He was also a former Harvard graduate and was known for his philanthropy - donating to good causes such as education.
The Championship club’s full statement
The Championship club said in a statement: “He was a person of such remarkable generosity, warmth, and kindness.
“He lived a storied life, one full of colour and joy, and was infinitely thoughtful of others with an endless desire to share his immense knowledge and experiences to help people.”
“He has presided over some of the greatest moments in Millwall’s history, and his influence in providing the platform for those was immeasurable.”
“John continued to speak eagerly about the new season and his vision for the future, and any success moving forward will be in his memory and honour. It will be his legacy.”
Former Millwall star pays tribute
Ex-Lions striker Steve Morison told : “I don’t believe it, I can’t quite get my head around it.
“Everything in that statement is spot on. He’s someone who gave me my chance, as well as the manager.
“He’s the one person in football who’s been constant and positive.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Anyone who knows him won’t have a bad word to say about him.”
Where did Millwall finish in the Championship last season?
Millwall had a strong 2022/23 campaign but narrowly missed out on the playoffs.
The London-based club finished 8th after a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on the final day of the season.
The game would end with owner John Berlyson getting a standing ovation from the crowd in his last-ever appearance at The Den.
Heartbreaking moment Millwall owner John Berylson given standing ovation at last game weeks before he died in ‘accident’
This is the heartbreaking moment Millwall owner John Berylson was given a standing ovation at his last game.
The 70-year-old American businessman suddenly passed away on Tuesday morning in a “tragic accident”.
The Lions narrowly missed out on a playoff position after losing 4-3 to Blackburn Rovers on the last day of the season.
But fans still came together to praise the club’s owner.
Watch the heartbreaking clip below:
When did Amy Smith and John Berylson get married?
Their engagement was announced in the on June 4, 1978, with the article saying they planned to marry in August of that year.
It is unclear when they actually got married.
The couple have three children together – Jennifer, James, and Elizabeth.
Like their mum, little is known about them and they stay firmly out of the spotlight.
