Coronavirus victim and grandfather Haralambos Bakirtzidis mourned
The widow of a Maidstone grandfather who died of coronavirus has honoured her soulmate of almost 60 years as it was revealed the 79-year-old was initially told he had the flu.
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A grandfather was told he had the flu before dying with coronavirus as his grieving widow paid tribute to her adored husband of almost 60 years.
Haralambos Bakirtzidis, 79, died at Footscray Hospital on July 15 having fallen ill just two weeks earlier.
The Maidstone man was reunited with wife Niki, 73, in a heartbreaking goodbye as she too battled corona in hospital.
Mrs Bakirtzidis, in hospital awaiting the all-clear, told the Herald Sun: “He will be missed by all of us.”
“He was a very good man, talented and hardworking,’’ she said.
“My husband was so strong — he was careless and never wore a mask.”
Mr Bakirtzidis — who moved from Greece in the 1970s and spoke little English — worked as a carpenter, helping repair Darwin after Cyclone Tracy.
He was so strong he could bend a metal bar with his hands and used to carry 200kg of plasterboard on his head.
“Harry was well known and loved by all nationalities,’’ Mrs Bakirtzidis said.
“When people had no money and their taps broke and the house was flooding he would help them for free.
“He was also loved by indigenous communities in Darwin and helped them too.”
Mr Bakirtzidis, who would have turned 80 in less than two weeks, initially developed a fever, sleeplessness and numbness to his face.
His daughter said paramedics on June 30 advised he likely had a nasty flu, to take paracetamol and phone back if he developed breathing issues.
Mr Bakirtzidis rested and went out shopping, not wearing a mask, but still couldn’t sleep and saw a doctor on July 3 only to be told he was fine.
He got weaker and was finally taken to Footscray Hospital on July 5, spending 11 days alone in intensive care with a breathing tube.
He developed pneumonia and tested positive to coronavirus, having also done a home test but yet to receive the results.
Mr Bakirtzidis’ daughter Athina was allowed to make a final visit before, in a protective cover, her beloved ‘Baba’ was taken to see his wife.
“I got scared that dad might be dying so just in case I delivered last rites for him,’’ Athina said.
“After two hours I had to leave and I said to him: ‘Dad I’ve got to go’. As soon as I started leaving he opened his eyes. I ran back and I told him I loved him.
“They took him down to see mum in a different ward. My mum said when he came down to her he took his last breath.”
“It’s very, very sad.
“He was a very caring and very loving man. He would do anything at the drop of a hat for you.”
The family, which initially shared their story via Greek-Australian newspaper Neos Kosmos, hope speaking about their grief will serve as a warning to others to wear masks and gloves outside.
“People just have to accept that they can’t live their normal life at the moment and just do the right thing for themselves and everybody,’’ Athina said.
“He was very fit and very strong.
“He thought he was safe.
“It really hurts to lose someone.
“I just want to save others from all the pain.
“The message has to get out there that people should just stay at home.”
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