Family, friends remember beloved 'Azza'

By Michelle Hoctor
Updated November 5 2012 - 6:36pm, first published September 28 2008 - 11:36am
Father Michael Sinadinovic addresses the mourners. the crowds gather to pay tribute to Mr Sinadinovic.
Father Michael Sinadinovic addresses the mourners. the crowds gather to pay tribute to Mr Sinadinovic.
Mr Sinadinovic's fiancee Tania Manzini at Saturday's funeral. Pictures: ROBERT PEET
Mr Sinadinovic's fiancee Tania Manzini at Saturday's funeral. Pictures: ROBERT PEET
The crowds gather to pay tribute to Mr Sinadinovic.
The crowds gather to pay tribute to Mr Sinadinovic.
Mr Sinadinovic's nephew Jared Stankovski.
Mr Sinadinovic's nephew Jared Stankovski.
Childhood friend Brian Wyatt.
Childhood friend Brian Wyatt.

Family and friends of Aaron Sinadinovic gathered to farewell a young man taken too soon and share in the heartache of losing their beloved "Azza".Mr Sinadinovic's large family was among 300 mourners at a funeral service at Dapto on Saturday, held in the wake of his death in horrific circumstances at Unanderra on September 19.Those gathered sobbed openly and laughed at turns as fond stories were told, only to serve as a reminder of the immense tragedy and loss of potential that had occurred.Born on April 6, 1984, Mr Sinadinovic spent his early years at Bowral, raised by his mother Eila Tirronen.He later moved to Farmborough Heights to live with his sister, Sandra Stankovski, and her family, husband Sasha and sons Jared and Jono.In a heartfelt eulogy, Jared, 16, told mourners of the devastation his family felt at having lost their beloved "Azza"."Nanny worked long hours to give Uncle the life they shared. Mum and Dad regarded Uncle Aaron like one of their sons and played a huge part in helping Nanny bring him up," he said."Although a big man, most would have thought him not to be the cuddly type, but Uncle loved nothing more than to cuddle his family. He would often say to us, 'Come on boys, come over and give big Uncle a cuddle'."He loved nothing more than to spend every chance he could with his close family and his fiancee Tania (Manzini) and her family ... The family sitting down to a meal was something Uncle really loved."Childhood friends spoke of Mr Sinadinovic's friendly nature and sense of humour."There was never a dull moment when Aaron was around, he was such a character. He always had us in stitches ... such a good bloke," Ben Reekie said.Brian Wyatt said the word always associated with Mr Sinadinovic, who stood at 198cm tall, was "big"."Not just for his physical attributes, but for his big personality, his big sense of humour and most importantly his big heart."Azza had a strong love for life, his family and mates, but especially for the women in his life, his sister, his mum and his beautiful Tania."A distraught Darren Geary, a workmate from Andreco-Hurll Refractory Services, said Mr Sinadinovic was affectionately known as "The Russian", a name given to him by a work colleague because of his size."He was a big, gentle bloke, as all you guys know. He didn't say boo to us for the first two months but he slowly came out of his shell and turned into the character that we all know."He was always so proud of his mum. He told us how she worked three different jobs to support him."Russian, we all love you mate ... You are a legend of a bloke."Aaron's father, Michael Sinadinovic, said he had received a eulogy in the mail that had been written more than 150 years ago and which he believed was a message from his son."It read (in part), 'Death is nothing at all, I have slipped away into the next room ... whatever we were to each other, we still are'."Mr Sinadinovic's fiancee, Tania Manzini, wept as she spoke of the couple's love and how they planned to marry."It was love at first sight when I met Aaron ... He told me that he loved me almost straight away, which made me realise he felt a strong connection with me too," she said."We had plans to get married and start a family and he kept hinting that he wanted children now and he had begun discussing baby names."Knowing that our hopes and dreams of getting married and having children will never come true breaks my heart."Mr Sinadinovic, Roach Bannerman, of Brownsville, and Adam Nall, of Oak Flats, were killed in a car accident on the Princes Hwy. Friend Daniel Schroeder, of Horsley, survived with serious burns.

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