Tributes are flowing today for Sydney butcher and father-of-two, Nectarios ‘Necta’ Papanicolaou, after he was killed in a motorcycle accident at Marrickville on Saturday.
The 34-year-old died after he lost control of his motorbike on Wardell Rd, Marrickville. He was treated by paramedics at the scene but couldn’t be saved.
Necta, who worked as a butcher at his family’s shop Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats, is now being remembered as a “friend to everybody” who “lit up the room with his smile, his infectious laugh and his love of life.”
“It is hard to believe that someone who was so full of life has left us. We are deeply lost and in despair,” Necta’s family said in a statement on Facebook.
“Necta was loved by our customers and the wider Dulwich Hill community and we know that he will be sorely missed beyond his family and closest friends.”
Necta’s death has left the Greek and wider community devastated, with hundreds of people sending their condolences to the family on social media.
“When coming to the shop I always looked forward to seeing Necta and having a laugh,” one person wrote. “He will definitely be missed and will be the brightest star in the sky.”
“Words are failing me, such a good bloke and loving family man,” another added.
Necta was a big name in the butchery scene, selected in 2016 in the Australian team for the World Butchers’ Challenge.
He is survived by his wife Krissy, daughter Paris and son George. His parents and siblings have said they are surrounded by loved ones during this difficult period of grieving.