It's hard to say goodbye to someone like Niall Quinn.
He was Sunderland's Roy of the Rovers - as charming, inspirational and decent a fellow as you could ever hope to meet.
He leaves behind a long list of memories and achievements for Sunderland fans to treasure.
Choose your own favourite goal, your own favourite speech and, if you were fortunate enough to ever be in his company, your own favourite "Quinny" story.
He was a great player, a rubbish manager, a great chairman and a true inspiration.
But Niall Quinn was so much more besides.
He was the catalyst, the trailblazer, the public face and the private army-of-one. He saw possibility where others only saw more of the same. He brought grand plans and men with money who might help realise them.
Not every decision turned out to be correct. But everything Quinn did for Sunderland, he did with the best intentions.
His departure's also full of the best intentions. He says he's done what he set out to do and he needs to spend more time with his family. I believe him. In fact it only makes me admire him more.
Quinn would hate to become a ghost haunting the corridors at the Stadium of Light. When he stepped down as Chairman he said he didn't want to hang around just to speak at the dinners and pose for the photos. The best men never want to outstay their welcome.
He dipped his toe in international waters, but Niall Quinn could never comfortably be a background figure at Sunderland. He's too big a part of the history, too big a character.
He's also confident he's found his men - the right man with the right money to run the boardroom. The right man, the best man, to run the team.
So thanks for the memories. I've got dozens. But I only realised the true scale of his achievements a few years ago, when I spent some time at the Niall Quinn Children's Outpatient centre at Sunderland General Hospital with my daughter. She wasn't very well and they made her better.
Niall Quinn made Sunderland better. Not just the football club, but the City as well. That's his legacy. So let Sunderland fans build a statue, name a stand and mark this occasion in any way they see fit. But most importantly, please respect his decision to leave and wish him nothing but the best for his future.
I present the sport on ITV Tyne Tees and Border. Once, I was question number 3 on the picture round of the quiz at the Blue Bell in Fulwell. My mother was so proud.
