Eric Mancini was an intrepid traveller, spirited cook, beloved husband and passionate teacher – until last week when he was suddenly taken in his prime, aged only 33.
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The Fairy Meadow man went to bed on Monday with a simple headache but died of a suspected heart attack or stroke during the night.
His wife of six years, Miriam, contacted emergency services when she discovered him at 2am on Tuesday.
‘‘He had no pre-existing heart conditions or anything,’’ brother-in-law Alex Augustyn said.
‘‘He’d been fighting a virus over the weekend and went to bed with a headache and passed away in his sleep.’’
Despite the best efforts of Mrs Mancini, paramedics and Wollongong hospital staff, Mr Mancini was unable to be revived.
‘‘The consolation to Miriam and the family was it wasn’t prolonged suffering or a disease but still the shock of it was very sudden, passing away at home.’’
Despite the makings of a middle-age spread, Mr Mancini was in otherwise good health, throwing all his energy into running an accounting business and pursuing his passion as a teacher of God’s word.
As a devout Jehovah’s Witness and minister, Mr Mancini spent time learning Chinese so he and his wife could share their faith with people of other cultures.
More than 800 people gathered at the Wollongong Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Saturday to attend a service in his honour.
Hundreds more listened from around the world – in places like South Africa and China – via phone and internet hook-up.
Typical of his generous nature, Mr Mancini’s organs were donated before he was laid to rest at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Leppington.
Mr Augustyn said his death could serve as a wake-up call for younger people who do not consider themselves at risk of sudden death.
‘‘In Eric’s case there were no warning signs or any medical conditions that he ignored, but I would say the biggest lesson for people is to make your life count – make it valuable – and do what is most important in your life,’’ he said.
‘‘It was such a huge loss and at such a young age, he managed to pack so much into his 33 years of life, which a lot of people don’t get to do.’’
The family praised police, paramedics and hospital team for their support, concern and efficiency.
