Family, friends, and members of Sydney’s surfing community have farewelled Mercury Psillakis, the 57-year-old surfer killed in a shark attack at Dee Why beach earlier this month.
Mourners gathered at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Crows Nest, where surfboards were held upright in a guard of honour.
His wife Maria, holding their daughter Freedom, was joined by Psillakis’ mother, who cried out “my son, my son” in Greek.
Psillakis was remembered as a hero for warning fellow surfers to leave the water after spotting the shark before he was fatally mauled on September 6.
At his funeral, the priest described him as a “shining example of love” for his sacrifice.
A surfboard adorned with flowers stood beside the pulpit, while his coffin was decorated with native blooms, reflecting his love of the ocean and plants.
A tribute on behalf of his family described Maria as his soulmate and Freedom as his “pride and joy.”
In closing, Freedom said: “I love you daddy, I’ll miss you forever.”
Psillakis, who ran Psillakis Surfboards in Brookvale with his twin brother Mike, was remembered as a beloved figure whose energy and joy touched everyone around him.
His family described him as a man of many passions, from surfing and travel to martial arts and cultivating rare palms – earning him the nickname “The Germinator.”
He is survived by Maria and Freedom. A second memorial event is planned to allow the wider community to pay their respects.
Source: msn.com
