Stipo Lijovic remembered as ‘gentleman’ after worksite death

A man who took his own life at a Melbourne worksite has been remembered as an amazing carpenter, with a friend saying he hoped the tradie protests would not overshadow the tragedy.

A tradie has been remembered as an “absolute gentleman” by workmates after taking his life at a Melbourne worksite, hours after a construction shutdown was announced.

Colleagues have paid tribute to carpenter Stipo Lijovic, whose body was found at a Crema Constructions site on Spencer St, West Melbourne about 7am on Tuesday.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Lijovic lived in the western suburbs of Melbourne and leaves behind a shocked and grieving family.

The tradesman’s death was expected to supercharge this week’s construction worker protests, which have seen violence unfold on Melbourne streets for the third consecutive day.

A message circulating among angry tradies read: “Breaks my f---n heart. His blood is on Dan Andrews hands.”

“May you rest in peace and your mind be at ease brother.

“Today we protest in your name and in your honour.”

The work site in West Melbourne where a man’s body was found.

Police attend the scene in West Melbourne.

Police outside the worksite in West Melbourne.

But friends said they hoped the tragedy would not be overshadowed by the “rubbish” protests that have gripped Melbourne over the past few days.

“(On Tuesday) a tragedy took place. A life was lost,” wrote former colleague John Dagher.

Mr Dagher said Mr Lijovic, of Croatian heritage, was an amazing carpenter and jokester.

“(He was) an absolute gentleman,” he wrote.

He said he hoped that Mr Lijovic’s death would not be “overshadowed by the rubbish that is happening around us today”.

Crema Constructions declined to comment about the man’s death.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner and WorkSafe is investigating.

Originally published as Stipo Lijovic remembered as ‘gentleman’ after worksite death