Stories of Jimmy Sagiotis kindness emerge as his death is mourned

Heartwarming new details have emerged about the cult burger shop owner who passed away last week.

Jimmy Sagiotis, a father of four, died after several heart attacks on October 5.

The 48-year-old owned Salty Rooster, a burger shop in Queenscliff on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Amid the outpouring of grief from the community, a mother has shared a touching memory of Sagiotis and his kind nature.

“I remember many years ago, you letting young groms (slang for surfers) (my son being one of them), sweep up the front and back of your shop on weekends in exchange for a chicken burger and chips – their absolute favourite food!” the mother shared to Facebook.

“It gave them the energy they needed to keep surfing. The boys and girls adored you.

“You will be so missed, and your boys, fiance and extended family will be enveloped by the community you leave behind.”

She added that she “can’t get [her] head around this”.

“Jimmy, you were such an immense human, amazing husband, wonderful dad and hardworking businessman. Loved by all that crossed your path.”

The restaurant had just celebrated its 18th birthday in February and will continue to flip up burgers with the help of Mr Sagiotis’ mother.

“Salty Rooster is Jimmy’s dream and we will be all joining together to keep his dream alive,” the Salty Rooster Facebook page states.

“Jimmy’s mum Sophia is already back in the kitchen, joined by an amazing crew of people who will continue bringing you the best burgers in town.

“Jimmy had big dreams, and it’s up to us to help make sure those dreams happen.”

The community has come together to share fond memories of Sagiotis, with some saying he gave them their first job.

“Very sad news. Jimmy gave me my first part time job at Salty Rooster about 12 years ago.

“He taught me a lot of great work values which I still think about today. He was always so much fun, a great boss and an amazing person,” one wrote.

Another added that the news has left them heartbroken, as her first job had been with Sagiotis when she was in high school.

One man shared details from the early days of the celebrated burger shop.

“When I met Jimmy Sagiotis it was like I finally met the brother I always dreamt of,” he wrote.

“From when you first opened Salty Rooster Narrabeen, to freaking the F out about signing the lease on Queenscliff because you were putting EVERYTHING on the line and if it didn’t work you were going to lose everything.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better role model and brother for life.”

Manly MP James Griffin has also expressed his sadness over the tragedy.

“Jimmy experienced enough tragedy for any one person in a lifetime when he became a single Dad caring for his two young boys and trying to run his beloved (and iconic) Salty Rooster in Queensie,” he wrote to Facebook last week.

Others have continued to express their condolences for the loving father, describing how much he meant to the community.

“He was an icon of our community and loved it dearly,” one wrote.

Another shared a heartwarming story highlighting Sagiotis’ care for those around him.

“Jimmy was such a lovely man who always looked out for my mother in law who lives next door to salty rooster,” she wrote.

Sagiotis is survived by his two sons, Harrison and Hudson, his fiance Claudine Rochecouste, and her two children Eli and Amelie.

In a cruel double blow, Sagiotis’ late-wife Renee passed away in eerily similar circumstances just six years ago.

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“Jimmy had a minor heart attack Wednesday night and by the time he got to the hospital in the ambulance, he had additional heart attacks that required serious treatment,” the family said in a statement, according to the Manly Observer.

“No one would ever imagine that the light of our lives would not make it. It’s just surreal. Complete and utter shock.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with the unexpected funeral costs as well as the “much-needed support for their four children”.

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