Earlier this week, the Greek Australian community lost prominent figure and pioneer Bartholomew (Jack) Bisas.

Described as “a man of vision, a patriot and a family man” by his koumbaro and friend Peter Jasonides, the 90-year-old died of natural causes last Tuesday at Cabrini Hospital.

Arriving in Melbourne at a young age, most of his life was spent serving the community, having played a major role in the settlement of Greek migrants to Australia between the 1950s and 1970s.

A driving force in the foundation of the Australian Greek Welfare Society, Mr Bisas served as president of the society for nine years and he was also instrumental in the establishment of the first Greek nursing home in Clayton by Fronditha.

“Today the whole nature of an ethno-specific agency is quite common, in those days an ethno-specific agency didn’t exist, so the barriers and hurdles to get it going were actually quite significant. That was very important,” his son George told Neos Kosmos.

Awarded with an OAM in 1985, Mr Bisas was a well-respected individual both in the Greek Australian community and the mainstream, with prominent politicians from both sides of politics, including the likes of Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, having confessed to seeking his counsel on important matters.

“He was a very humble man. There are things that Jack and Marika have done that the wider community will never know, because they’ve always been loyal servants and low-key,” said Mr Jasonides.

He took great pride in his Kastellorizian heritage, serving as president of the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria for 16 years of his life.

For the family, it’s hard to believe that their loving father, grandfather and husband is gone.

“For us as children, we lost a dad who has been enormously supportive,” said George.

“I think his involvement in community gives you a fair indication of his commitment to causes and support and doing the right thing. Where we were concerned he was always there to support us, assist us and guide us in our entire lives.”

Mr Bisas is survived by wife Marika and his children Eula, Ian, Jim and George.