Grandfather Paul Tavelardis ‘lived every moment’ before alleged murder

A 66-year-old grandfather allegedly murdered at the hands of two Irishmen in Sydney’s inner west was a proud indigenous man who may have been sleeping in his car after “walkabout”, according to his family.

Mr Tavelardis was found on the side of the road in Summer Hill. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

• Men charged after Summer Hill attack

A 66-year-old grandfather allegedly murdered at the hands of two Irishmen in Sydney’s inner west was a proud indigenous man who may have been sleeping in his car after “walkabout”.

The family of Paul Tavelardis — including his children Bradley, Kristen, Clint and Murray — made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Monday night.

Paul Tavelardis died in hospital allegedly after being attacked by two Irishmen. Picture: Facebook

Mr Tavelardis was rushed to hospital with critical head wounds after allegedly being attacked by Irish nationals Christopher McLaughlin, 24, and Nathan Kelly, 21, near the intersection of Grosvenor Crescent and Liverpool Rd, Summer Hill just after midnight on December 28.

The men had their charges upgraded to murder after each being charged with affray and reckless grievous bodily harm in company and affray after the alleged attack.

Mr Tavelardis had held down the same job in a call centre for 20 years and would intermittently set off for Central Australia.

“He loved to travel, that was his indigenous side, he loved to go, as we say, ‘walkabout’,” his son Bradley Tavelardis told The Daily Telegraph.

“Every two or three years he would save enough money, buy a sedan and go out into the desert and sleep in the back of his car.

“He just loved to travel, look at the scenery.”

Mr Tavelardis was found on the side of the road. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

The Tavelardis’ family believe their father may have been sleeping in the back of his car, having recently returned to the city, on the night the attack took place.
He had been preparing to return to work at the same job.

“He always put us first and made sure in a time of need we would always look after each other,” Mr Tavelardis jnr said.

“This crisis was evident of that, we all came together … it was very traumatic for us.”

He said his father was a peaceful man, did not smoke or drink, and “lived every moment” due to having Leukaemia.

Mr Tavelardis was treated by paramedics at the scene, but he died on Monday. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

A loving grandfather of nine, he struggled to walk long distances in his old age and was not aggressive, his son said.

Mr Tavelardis jnr said he expected justice for the two men charged with his father’s death.

He held no ill-feeling towards their families who had made contact with them from Ireland.

“The families of the two boys, they would be going through a lot of hardship as well,” he said.

McLaughlin and Kelly have been in custody since the alleged attack and are due to front Burwood Local Court on Wednesday.

Originally published as Grandfather Paul Tavelardis ‘lived every moment’ before alleged murder