Dear family and friends, thank you for joining us here today to celebrate the remarkable life of Phidias Michael — a kind-hearted man of quiet strength and dignity, with an unwavering determination and perseverance. A good and decent man, who worked tirelessly to build a better life for his family. He was extremely proud of his three adoring sons, six dearly cherished grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

His story began in the small, mountainous village of Polystypos in the Pitsillia region of Cyprus. Born the youngest of five siblings, his early years were marked by a unique blend of love, responsibility and the realities of village life. He was so much younger than his siblings that his eldest sister assumed the role of his second mother, while their own mother spent long days labouring in the fields. Inexplicably, despite his father serving as the village mayor, Phidias was the only child in the family who did not receive a birth certificate. To this day, the exact details of his birth remain a mystery, with few clues as to his true age.

Phidias’ formative years unearthed a fascination with learning and he sought to realise this potential. However, during that time, education didn’t hold much significance, particularly in a simple and largely rural community. Phidias’ father was very reluctant to fund his son’s continued education, but with his brothers’ support and a scholarship of sorts, he was accepted to the Mitsis Commercial School of Lemithou. This was a specialised high school, which placed a greater focus on business studies and also conducted most of the classes in English. Phidias excelled in his studies and was soon tasked to tutor the younger students.

The school identified his numerical acumen and upon graduating was offered a modest bookkeeping position for a small retail business. He was, however, an ambitious, young man and he quickly became disillusioned with the uninspiring work and even the limited opportunities available in Cyprus at the time. He set his sights on a much bigger stage on the other side of the world, a country full of promise where dreams could be realised. So, with the meagre savings he had accrued over several years of hard work, Phidias set sail on a one-way voyage to Australia.

Seemingly undaunted by the absence of support, Phidias set about finding his way in this exciting and very foreign new land. Fortunately, he had a firm grasp of the language, although the Australian dialect and ubiquitous slang would have made for many interesting and baffling encounters. He accepted that as an immigrant he could not be too precious about the type of work he undertook. So, he agreed to whatever came his way, from short order cook, factory worker, bus conductor and tram conductor. All the while, he was attuned to the new possibilities and opportunities ahead.

At the time, it was commonplace for new arrivals to seek out their countrymen, to gain support and solidarity, and to help each other negotiate the myriad of challenges they faced on a daily basis. As Phidias could speak the language, he had a distinct advantage and was more than happy to help his fellow Cypriots, to navigate their new lives. This generosity and obvious competence was not lost on one middle-aged man, who would frequent the same cafes as Phidias. Sophocles Petrou fancied himself to be a good judge of character and quickly identified a promising prospect for his eldest daughter, Eleni. He would employ his best matchmaking skills to bring the two together. This would be the beginning of the lifelong union of Phidias and Eleni.

Now, as a married man and with a family soon to follow, the ambition that led Phidias to traverse the globe for a better life, was revitalised. The couple decided, like so many enterprising migrants before them, to embark upon their own venture, purchasing a newsagency in the bustling, cosmopolitan heart of Redfern, in Cleveland Street. Phidias and Eleni worked long and unforgiving hours, but they supported each other and built a handy little business. It would, however, soon become apparent that raising a young family beside such a heavily trafficked thoroughfare was potentially hazardous.

The couple sold the business and decided to invest in a ramshackle block of flats atop a hill in Clovelly, back in the days when Clovelly was often referred to as Pauper’s Point. Despite the dilapidated state of the property and Eleni’s strong protestations, Phidias was convinced that being able to live in one flat, while renting out the remaining three, made good business sense. The early years were tough financially, and whatever modest income the rents provided, would largely be spent on patch-up repairs, just to keep the place habitable. While Phidias could never be accused of being overly fastidious, he possessed an uncanny ability to repair almost anything, with whatever odds and ends were at hand. His resourcefulness and ingenuity were a marvel to behold. This veritable superpower was to hold Phidias in good stead, as he became captivated with the notion of owning property. Although he never had much money, it didn’t seem to trouble him. With a fearlessly enterprising spirit, he borrowed disproportionately large amounts of money compared to his income. However, despite some nerve-racking times, Phidias always managed to meet his obligations and his investments were to eventually bear fruit.

Phidias was never afraid to reinvent himself. While he was a proud man, he was also a humble realist and would often take on work, which belied his ability and intellect. And so it was, when he accepted a position of cigarette salesman for a local wholesaling company, which sold large quantities of cigarettes to retail shops all over Sydney. His open and engaging personality proved to be a big hit with his growing list of customers and naturally his employer was delighted with his progress. Complimentary cigarettes were a terribly unhealthy perk of the job, with sales representatives encouraged to promote their products. Under these circumstances, Phidias became a champion chain smoker, often going through four packets a day. A subsequent health scare fortunately led him to change course, and he was able to eventually stop smoking altogether.

The attraction of owning their own business was to once again resurface. Phidias decided to try his hand at running a mixed business, as they were then known. He identified a rather neglected and poorly-run corner store, which had a lot of potential and was well positioned, a mere stone’s throw from Centennial Park. The working hours were brutal and days off virtually nonexistent, but with their three growing boys offering some assistance, albeit sometimes begrudgingly, and Eleni’s energetic mother, Persephone, diligently embracing the role of senior shelf stacker, the new venture was to become a true family business.

Gradually, trade improved and the locals were won over by the family’s obvious warmth and dedication. They could now afford for the shop to be refurbished, as Phidias was determined to create something special. The new shiny surfaces, gleaming banks of fridges and custom-made cabinetry breathed new life into the tired, old building and a sense of pride was restored to the community’s corner store. The shelves were packed with precision, and everything was spotlessly cleaned and maintained. If customers couldn’t find what they were looking for, Phidias would ensure that it was available on their next visit. After nearly a decade of running such an all-consuming business, the family was ready for a change.

Phidias and Eleni purchased yet another run-down property, which was gradually transformed into the enduring family home. With a huge renovation project to organize, there was little time to rest. However, the prospect of finally being able to create a comfortable and spacious family home was a great motivating force. While Phidias was not interested in selecting tiles and wallpaper, he became excited about the prospect of having a wood-fired Kleftiko oven in his own backyard. His deep love of wholesome, traditional food baked in an iconic piece of his Cypriot childhood was a symbol that brought him much joy. Despite the arduous and time-consuming task of firing the forni, it was absolutely priceless to see the beaming satisfaction on Phidias’ face, as the mouthwatering meat was retrieved from the oven. One of his other great passions was gardening, but more specifically growing fruit and vegetables, another link to his homeland and the importance his family placed on producing food. To achieve this in his Coogee home, Phidias spent many backbreaking months transferring tonnes of garden soil, to build a labyrinth of garden beds on top of the concrete roof of the garage.

Finally, now with more freedom in his day, Phidias’ love of reading was to flourish. He became an avid Sydney Morning Herald reader. Scouring the paper methodically was to become a daily ritual, which would continue for the rest of his life, even during his most difficult years. Despite his newfound free time, Phidias was unaccustomed to idleness, preferring to make himself useful and be productive. He was to embark on another new business venture. Harnessing his intimate understanding of the retail industry and his freakish knowledge of Sydney’s streets, he became a travelling salesman once more. With a bright, yellow van, he sold packaging materials to suburban shops. He enjoyed the challenge and was energised by the many delightful interactions he had with his customers.

Phidias toyed with the idea of retirement on several occasions, but it was not in his DNA to put his feet up and watch the world go by. He had an almost insatiable desire to continue contributing, in any way he could. Whether that be in helping to clean stacks of old bricks on a family building project, utilising his intuitive repair skills, tending his numerous gardens, or spending endless hours managing the family’s finances, Phidias needed to stay engaged. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Nothing was ever too menial. If something needed to be done, he was all in, the ultimate team player.

In his later years, Phidias discovered the joys of travelling, with his dear Eleni by his side, exploring destinations both near and far, a luxury that he had barely contemplated during his long and exhausting working life. There was now more time for family and friends. Although Phidias was generally a reserved man of few words, he came to life in social settings. His warmth and genuine sincerity brought him close to many people. However, his face would truly light up brightest, when he was with his grandchildren and would savour every moment with them.

Sadly, Eleni’s worsening dementia would cut short their travels and their socialising. Phidias helped care for Eleni for many years at home, and when that was no longer possible, he devoted himself to assisting her as best he could at her nursing home. He visited her every single day for almost four years. He would bring treats to help brighten her lunch and they would take little walks through the corridors or just sit together. Phidias supported his wife through her darkest hours, keeping her company and making sure she felt loved. Phidias and Eleni shared the joys and heartaches of an amazing sixty-four years together. While their relationship endured some testing times, their love and devotion for each other only grew stronger as the years progressed.

Even as he was well into his nineties, Phidias remained resolute; he treasured his independence and managed to keep driving, seemingly by autopilot at times. He took over the cooking duties with the same zeal and wonderful resourcefulness that he had demonstrated throughout his life, regularly preparing meals for extended family gatherings and revelling in the opportunity. While his mind remained sharp, his body had finally begun to let him down. Several bad falls resulted in a brain haemorrhage and a consequent stroke was to steal his all-important independence.

There was no denying that Phidias was devastated by his predicament, but resilience through adversity is a true measure of a man, and Phidias managed to move forward with dignity and purpose. After many long and debilitating months in hospital, Phidias’ remarkable presence and unbreakable spirit continued to radiate. Despite having lost the ability to speak, he was still able to touch the hearts of many of those around him. He kept striving to get better and would eventually return home. With a team of truly exceptional and genuinely kind carers by his side, Phidias was able to enjoy the last few years of his life in a nurturing and loving environment. He refused to submit to his frailties and continued to work valiantly with speech therapists and physios. Even when he was feeling poorly, he would greet them with a smile, try his heart out, and always try to thank them at the end of each session. His indomitable spirit humbled all who had the privilege of encountering him.

Phidias was a quiet, gentle and unassuming man, a man of great integrity. He was thoughtful, courageous and extraordinarily determined to build a good life for his family. His brave struggles with adversity, only served to further highlight just how remarkable he was.

May his loving memory inspire us all!