Nic Sclavos sought advice from his beloved papou and almost 70-year resident of Dubbo Tony Panaretos when faced with leaving home to study medicine.
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"I told Papou how I was worried about leaving my family," the grandson informed mourners at 83-year-old Mr Panaretos' funeral at the Greek Orthodox Church on Friday.
".. he reminded me how he was 15 years old when he left his family on the island of Kythera to travel to the other side of the world for a new life in a country where he didn't even speak the language.
"Hearing those words was like Obi-Wan Kenobi handing Luke Skywalker his lightsabre.
"That's all I had to hear and I was off, and I've never looked back."
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Anthony "Tony" Panaretos was his family's role model, tower of strength and "go to guy" when a big decision had to be made.
His devotion to wife Helen, three children and seven grandchildren made him a "rich man", according to grandson Nic.
"A couple years ago we all gathered in Dubbo to celebrate Christmas with Yiayia and Papou," he said.
"..during our Christmas lunch I looked up from one end of the long dining room table to see Papou at the other end.
"He was sitting there in silence with a wide grin on his face and I remember thinking, 'Wow, that is simply the richest man I have ever seen'. Rich with the love of his family."
The Dubbo public also got to know the funny, friendly and hardworking family man when he and "the greatest love of his life" ran the Athenian cafe in Talbragar Street and then the Centrespot cafe in Macquarie Street.
"Be respectful to everyone" was one of Tony Panaretos' many mottos which included "never give up on the Canterbury Bulldogs".
"He believed that everyone was equal and was welcoming of anyone regardless of who they were and status in life," son James said at the funeral.
"Dubbo has lost a statesman, the world has lost a wonderful human being and heaven has gained a beautiful angel."
Grandson Nic told mourners of the "things that I find myself doing" because of his grandfather.
"He always had a clean handkerchief on him and now I can't leave the house unless I have one too," he said.
Mr Panaretos also "passed on his appreciation of films" including The Godfather.
"What I love about those films is the underlying story of a young immigrant from very humble beginnings, who arrives in a foreign country and builds a better life for himself and ultimately for his family, who works very hard, acts very honourably and earns great respect from his community, just like my Papou," the grandson said.
"And really, if you think about it, Tony Panaretos' hamburgers were 'an offer you couldn't refuse'."
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