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Francesco Candido’s family share emotional tribute after alleged fatal Grote St attack

The heartbroken family of a man, 89, who died after an alleged unprovoked attack near the Central Market say he was a generous and kind person.

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The heartbroken family of Franceso Candido, who died after being punched near the Central Market, say the generous 89-year-old would have been the first to have forgiven his alleged attacker.

“Sometimes, we’re only human and you do lash out in anger at how this happened, but, at the end of the day, you try to think how (Francesco) would have approached it and he was forgiving of everyone,” son Larry Candido said.

Francesco Candido who sadly died after being in ICU for two weeks over the weekend. Picture supplied
Francesco Candido who sadly died after being in ICU for two weeks over the weekend. Picture supplied

“The sad thing is if he had pulled through he would have said ‘No, (the alleged attacker) must have had a bad day. That’s the way he was.”

The West Croydon grandfather was allegedly coward punched by Joel Raymond Page on Grote St on September 7 in an unprovoked and random daylight attack.

Police confirmed on Sunday that Francesco died from his injuries, which included a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

He had been in the intensive care unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital since the attack with his family by his side day and night.

Witnesses say the alleged attack happened while Francesco was carrying shopping bags in each hand after visiting the city, on pension day, for the first time in a year.

Mr Candido said the whole family had held on to hope his dad would survive.

“We had hope for a while there but he died very peacefully with us,” he said.

“He was a simple guy who loved everyone. He believed no one would ever harm him because he’s never harmed anyone else. We’re struggling.

“If he’d died of natural causes it may have been easier to grieve but the circumstances make this really hard.”

Francesco Candido with daughter Rina Candido (left) and son Larry Candido (right). Picture supplied
Francesco Candido with daughter Rina Candido (left) and son Larry Candido (right). Picture supplied

Mr Candido said his father, who moved to Australia from Italy in 1968, was the most forgiving and generous person he had ever known.

“We’re very angry because it shouldn't have happened,” he said.

Mr Candido said he and his three siblings Peter, Rina and Nella, used to joke their dad would outlive them all.

“He rode his bike around town and people said he would pop up everywhere,” he said.

“You’d be afraid to ask him for anything because he was so generous.

“If you asked for a couple of mandarins from his tree he’d hand you two buckets’ worth, he’ll be dearly missed.”

At his first appearance, Page, 33, said he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and had no recollection.

Page will have his aggravated assault charge upgraded during his next court appearance.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/francesco-candidos-family-share-emotional-tribute-after-alleged-fatal-central-markets-attack/news-story/885326812b70ad08db3560895393d9db