The funeral of prominent businessman and philanthropist Nick Andrianakos was held on Tuesday at Saint Nektarios in Fawkner.
His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends and family all said their final “goodbyes”.
Both inside the church and at the special ceremony later, speeches were given about the life, achievements and contributions of Andrianakos.
On behalf of the family, his grandson Nicholas Andrianakos bid him farewell, moving everyone with a short but meaningful speech.
He said over the last two weeks it’s become clear that his grandfather’s passing has not only impacted his family, but many in the community.
“His life is a reminder of how much of a difference one person can make even if they were born in a small village in Greece,” he said.
“My grandfather has left his four children, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren with incredible standards to follow. I hope we can make him proud and make a difference like he did.
“My papou lived a full life and now it’s time for him to get some rest.”
President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and close friend of the departed, Bill Papastergiadis also gave a speech.
He called Andrianakos “a man of action” who everyone took notice of and whose “actions spoke louder than his words”.
One example of this he gave was when Andrianakos contributed $300K to help build a multipurpose hall at Alphington Grammar.
“Education was essential to Nikos’s understanding of human development. He had a deep love for those that were educated… Nikos did not have the opportunity to complete high school, let alone attend university,” he said.
“Nevertheless, he spoke lovingly of those that did, and in particular his brother, who had completed a medical degree in Greece… There was never any hint of envy of his brother’s achievements, only love.
“This love of his brother was no more evident than when I phoned Nikos a few years ago to express my condolences of his brothers passing away. Nikos was inconsolable, he said to me ‘he was my blood, I feel I have lost half of myself’.”
Papastergiadis said he witnessed this love Andrianakos had for all his family because “he lived outside of himself. It was not about him but about others.”
He then recalled Andrianakos’s early days in Australia, arriving with few possessions, struggling and working long hours. This reminded him of his own father.
“Although my father and Nikos arrived with few material possessions, their suitcase and souls were full of virtue. Virtues fundamental to their moral character like kindness, respect and integrity.”
He ended his speech remembering his last memories of Andrianakos in Greece. Talking about renovations on a hotel he recently bought.
“I said to Nikos ‘this is so much work how do you do it?’ Nikos replied ‘it is hard work, it’s very hard to do business in Greece, however, it is my homeland, I love Greece and it’s my duty’.”
“Nikos qualities and traits of generosity, and responsibility guided him throughout his life. We too must ensure that his legacy lives on.”
