Nightcliff Friendly Grocer: Wife, shoppers, community pay tribute to owner
The wife of a beloved Darwin grocery store owner, who was stabbed while at work in a daylight attack, has paid an emotional tribute to her ‘beautiful husband’.
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Tributes have begun to flow after the shocking death of a beloved Darwin grocery store owner, who was stabbed while at work in a daylight attack.
Owner of the Nightcliff Friendly Grocer, 71-year-old Linford Feick, is being remembered as a “great man”, whose loss has devastated the Northern Territory community he served for decades.
Mr Feick’s wife Margaret posted an emotional tribute to her husband on social media on Thursday morning.
“My name is Margaret and I am Linford’s wife,” she wrote.
“I am sitting here at 3am too broken to go to sleep because my life has been shattered.
“My beautiful husband of 51 years was stolen from me, his children and his seven grandchildren.
“This is so hurtful. An 18 year old kid has (allegedly) done this in a dreadful moment of anger because he was confronted with theft.
“The trauma it has caused to the beautiful staff who we love as family, the trauma to our beautiful customers, Linford worked so sincerely to maintain the community vibe with smiles, trust and humanity.
“A beautiful man, a true gentleman, and my soulmate. Gone forever. God Bless Him. RIP my darling man.”
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro: ‘Absolutely tragic’
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro called on all Territorians to support each other through the “absolutely tragic, horrific and devastating thing that has taken place”.
“People have a right to be angry, heartbroken, frustrated, disappointed, questioning why this is happening when it will stop, and all of those feelings are absolutely valid,” she said.
“I want everyone to support each other. Today, there is going to be a wide range of emotions by our entire community right across the Northern Territory, and people’s emotions will undoubtedly change over the course of the day as well.
“And so we stand strong together in solidarity around the family, the friends, the immediate community that’s grieving, and the broader Northern Territory community who grieve with them and share their pain.
“We stand together and say enough is enough. And I want to reinforce our commitment to Territorians that everything is on the table, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make the Territory safe.”
Member for Nightcliff Kat McNamara: ‘Utterly heartbroken’
Local MLA for Nightcliff Kat McNamara said she was “utterly heartbroken” by the news and devastated for Mr Feick’s family.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy for them and I will be offering my support at this terrible time,” she said in a statement.
“I have just returned home from the Nightcliff shops where I was checking on workers at the surrounding businesses. Everyone should have the right to go to work and come home safely to their families.
“This horrific act of violence has no place in our community.
“I want to thank the community members and first responders who rendered aid at the scene.
“As we process this shocking event, I encourage everyone to look out for one another and support those most affected.”
City of Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis
Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis rang in to local ABC Radio on Thursday to express his grief at Mr Feick’s death.
“Margaret – I’m so, so sad to hear,” he said.
“I’ve known Linford for a long, long, long time, since I was living Nightcliff.
“He was a great man, he was a lovely guy who brought up a family in Nightcliff.
“He was doing his job, he was always doing great job. He was always good with his clients, to end like that, it’s tragic. It should have never happened.
“We have to look at ourselves as a community … I especially think that we have to really reassess access to alcohol and drugs, and we have to reassess access to sharp weapons and everything else.”
Trevor Primmer and Virginia White: ‘Everyone loved them’
Marrara couple Trevor Primmer and Virginia White moved from Nightcliff recently and had known Mr Feick and the Feick family for decades.
“We knew him for 20 years and we always used to comment to him ‘how do you keep getting such beautiful staff here in the store’?,” Mr Primmer said.
“Then I realised it’s because it comes from the top. He was always great to the staff and it was just the best place to go to - we’d always go there before the big places.
“They're just a wonderful family the two kids, the grandkids and everyone who worked there loved them. It’s a tragic day, really a tragic day. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Nightcliff retail workers
The NT News spoke to a number of retail workers who were unable or unwilling to speak publicly but who were happy to share their thoughts.
One longtime store owner said Mr Feick’s death was like losing part of the family.
“Poor Margaret,” he said.
“It’s just so sad for the family. How do you fix the problem. This boy, you can imagine the life he had growing up. I can’t blame the kid for wanting to get out of the house then they go out and get themselves into trouble. No normal family environment.
“The next thing we’re worried about is guns replacing knives. That’s what’s happening down south.”
A female worker aged in her early 20s said shop theft was a common occurrence and reflected on the white elephant Nightcliff police station the previous Labor government built.
“We get people stealing and being really aggressive and harassing us and the police station across the road is entirely useless,” she said.
“We get groups of people who sit out the front and they just drink continuously. There’s lot of yelling and fighting and we shouldn’t have to deal with that.
“We’re here to make our living, do our job and it’s unsafe and you worry when you’re going to hear about your own family member being abused or assaulted or possibly even killed. It’s appalling.”
Retail Drinks Australia chief executive Michael Waters
Retail Drinks chief executive Michael Waters said Linfod Feick was a “respected and long-standing member” of the industry’s community. “His passion, integrity and unwavering dedication to his business and to the industry has left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him,” Mr Waters said.
“This horrific act of violence is a sobering reminder of the serious risks faced by retail liquor store owners and workers, many of whom servie their communities every day with professionalism and care. No one should feel unsafe simply doing their job.
“Retail drinks stands in solidarity with the local community and reaffirms our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every retial liquor owner, worker and customer.
“We urge outhorities to take all necessary steps to investigate this incident thoroughly and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Letter from witnesses: ‘Always been more than just a place to shop’
A woman who was a direct witness to the stabbing penned a heartfelt letter to the family of the man, after the stabbing on Wednesday evening.
She told this masthead she and her husband had been shopping at the Friendly Grocer at Nightcliff Village when she saw a man pull out a knife and stab the male owner of the store.
“To the team at the Nightcliff supermarket. We are deeply heartbroken by the tragic event that occurred, and we send our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the staff member whose life was so senselessly taken,” she wrote.
“Nightcliff supermarket has always been more than just a place to shop. It is where we go to feed our families, where we’re greeted with smiles, and where the hardworking team goes above and beyond to ensure we never feel the burden of shortages or uncertainty.
“The dedication and care shown by your staff has always been seen and appreciated.
“To witness such violence, especially towards someone who served the community with kindness and commitment, is devastating beyond words. Our hearts ache for the entire team and for the loved ones grieving this loss. We stand with you in this painful time and hope for peace, healing and an end to such heartbreaking acts of violence.
“With love, support, and deepest sympathy.”
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo: ‘Violence has no place in our community’
Territory Opposition leader Selena Uibo said the stabbing was “shocking”.
“My deepest condolences go to the family, friends, and loved ones of the shop owner who has been reported to have tragically lost his life,” Ms Uibo said.
“While more details are yet to emerge, one thing is clear – this kind of senseless violence has no place in our community.
“Many people will be reeling from this news – please lean on each other for support in the wake of these awful revelations.”
Neighbourhood Watch NT
Neighbourhood Watch NT said the loss of Mr Feick was “deeply felt” by everyone in the Nightcliff community.
“As a long standing part of this community, and with our office based in Nightcliff, this loss is deeply felt,” a spokesperson said.
“Our thoughts are with the staff, witnesses, first responders and the many community members impacted.
“While we await the outcome of the formal investigation, we want to acknowledge the profound sense of grief and shock that has rippled through our neighbourhood and across the Territory.
“As we head into the long weekend we encourage everyone to look out for one another and prioritise personal safety.
“Let’s continue to stand together, not only in grief – but in strength, collaboration and care.”
Social media tributes: ‘The whole community is with you’
Hundreds have taken to social media to share memories of Mr Feick and condolences to his wife Margaret.
Mark Zen Roberts said: “Brings a tear to my eye reading this. Another life stolen through stupidity. A husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle another human. This behaviour is unacceptable. My heart breaks for you Margaret.”
Nicole Wheeler said: “Our entire community saw this hard working man for what he brought to us all. His decency and humanity was recognised by everyone who shopped there. May he RIP.”
Jan Austin said: “Your family is deeply loved and cherished by this community. You all work tirelessly, and are part of our daily lives. Losing Linford is incomprehensible.”
Billee McGinley said: “I come into the shop most days. I just keep seeing your husbands sweet lovely smile. Both Linford and your son always make sure they give a sincere hello and smile … thank you and your family for the grace you always show in the community.”
Gabrielle Martin said: “I live a block away from the store. It’s my local and my ‘other family ‘. Linford was the sweetest, gentlest man. He had the kindest of natures, always said hello. His staff are a credit to him. I love them all.”
Ebone Coats said: “We are so sad, the tears have been falling all night. For nearly 30 years, we have affectionately called your shop ‘Linford’s’. Your family and staff have always been a big part of the essence of what makes Nightcliff, Nightcliff and our community wholesome. Your grief and anger is valid. The whole community is right behind you. This should have never have happened. It is absolutely not okay. Linford and your family are loved by so many. Our hearts are broken for you all. We have truly lost a great man.”
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Originally published as Nightcliff Friendly Grocer: Wife, shoppers, community pay tribute to owner
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