Friends and workmates of Lake Heights father-of-three Rui Espada are determined to see his memory live on in projects he supported.

The 43-year-old Bunnings manager died unexpectedly after collapsing on a crowded Port Kembla Beach on Australia Day.

His death came a week before he had organised a working bee to give the final touches to a renovated house at Balgownie which is now being used to train young people with disabilities.

The run-down house bought by Essential Personnel mainly through charity funds has been transformed and will now be named Rui's Place.

"It is the least we could do for a man who gave so much of his own time to help us," program manager Cathy Potter said.

"Nothing was too much trouble for Rui, and I'm saddened that he never saw the end results.

"He had organised 15 volunteers from Bunnings to finish the exterior of the house but after his death, that blew out to 34 people who turned up out of respect for Rui."

Mr Espada's wife Isabelle said her husband would be "overjoyed" by the honour.

"We are all devastated by Rui's unexpected death but we are grateful for this tribute," Mrs Espada said.

"He went out of his way to make a difference to other people's lives, and while he never expected any thanks he would be over the moon to know he has been remembered this way."

Friend and colleague John Karayiannis said Mr Espada had worked voluntarily on a number of community projects in the past year including helping to paint the Wollongong PCYC.

"He was a guy who was the first to put his hand up when somebody needed help," Mr Karayiannis said.

Ms Potter said she, her staff and the young people who attended the program had raised more than $2000 to buy a defibrillator to give to Port Kembla Surf Club on Mr Espada's behalf.