Mary Valley family pays tribute to Chris Vassallo

A centrepiece of the Imbil community has been remembered by his family as a ‘jack of all trades,’ a community builder, a joker, and someone who always had a shoulder to cry on

A centrepiece of Imbil's community, Chris Vassallo, has been remembered by his family as jack of all trades, community builder, a joker, and someone who always had a shoulder to cry on.

An Imbil small-business owner, who was a centrepiece of the community, has been remembered by his daughter as a ‘jack of all trades’ after his death from asbestos exposure.

A cabinet maker, a world traveller, a hotel manager, and a businessman Chris Vassallo owned and ran the Four Square store, now the Imbil Family Grocer, for 11 years.

He was a mainstay of the town, bringing the community together for events at Christmas, giving away freebies, and organising face painting for the kids, his daughter Leah Vassallo said.

A centrepiece of the Imbil community, Chris Vassallo, has been remembered by his family as jack of all trades, community builder, a joker, and someone who always had a shoulder to cry on.

“He was a familiar face and was such a big part of the town,” she said.

“He brought the community together.

“He was a best mate, a joker among his mates, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.”

In addition to this he was an integral behind the Imbil Show Society, scouts, and would organise annual carwash fundraisers in the town, she said.

Mr Vassallo was born in Sydney where he worked as a cabinet-maker, he then went on to travel the world, managing a hotel in England for a couple of years, before coming back to Australia to work as a builder.

He moved to Cooroy with his first wife and their four children, where he built up the Imbil Four Square mini mart, and briefly owned the Rattler Cafe.

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A centrepiece of the Imbil community, Chris Vassallo, pictured on left with his family, has been remembered by his family as jack of all trades, community builder, a joker, and someone who always had a shoulder to cry on.

His children still have strong links to the area, with his son Christian Vassallo working at Wildvine Cafe (previously Rattler Cafe) as a chef.

When he retired he moved to Burrum Heads and lived there with his second wife and stepdaughter.

During this time he loved fishing, gardening and spending time with his dog.

In 2021 he was diagnosed with terminal asbestosis, and died on November 6, 2023 surrounded by his family.

“Even up until Monday, during the day when we were all talking to him and he was saying his goodbyes to everybody,” Ms Vassallo said.

A centrepiece of the Imbil community, Chris Vassallo, has been remembered by his family as jack of all trades, community builder, a joker, and someone who always had a shoulder to cry on.

“He was still in high spirits and he was joking and laughing.

“He looked very, very well. I guess he kind of fooled us all, because physically he looked so well.”

Mr Vassallo lived a full and happy life and passed away surrounded by his family.

“He had 73 years of experience and memories that people had with him doing different jobs that not a lot of other people would ever have the chance to do,” Ms Vassallo said.