Melbourne’s Greek community mourns father and son who died 19 days apart
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Melbourne is grieving the tragic loss of Christos Sofos, 65, and his youngest son Vasilis (Billy) Sofos, 27, who died just 19 days apart after separate battles with cancer.
The story has shaken the community, with friends and relatives rallying around a family that endured unimaginable hardship over the past 18 months.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Nick Sofos, son of Christos and brother of Billy, described a period marked by pain, courage, and deep unity.
“The last 18 months have been incredibly hard”
“We are a family of eight,” Nick said. Christos and his wife Hariklia, their four sons Nick, Sam, James, and Billy, along with daughters-in-law Elly and Stacey, and four grandchildren: Zara, Hristaki, Leo, and Aliki.
Christos had been battling bladder cancer for five years. Around the same time, the family received a second devastating blow: Billy, then only 25, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, germ cell carcinoma that transformed into histiocytic sarcoma, a one-in-ten-million diagnosis with a poor prognosis.
Throughout their illnesses, both father and son were cared for at home by the entire family.
Christos passed away peacefully on 24 October, surrounded by his wife, sons and grandchildren.
Billy: A beloved young journalist with a brilliant mind
Billy’s passing on 12 November came less than three weeks after his father’s death.
He was widely loved in the community, known for his compassion, intelligence, and infectious smile. He had deep ties to Greek school and Greek dancing and was adored by his nieces and nephews as the fun, bright youngest uncle.
Academically gifted and socially engaged, Billy had recently completed a journalism degree and had begun working at the ABC, just six months before his diagnosis.
“He loved politics, human stories, world events. He was a critical thinker,” Nick said. “Even during his illness, he never complained. Whenever he felt strong enough between chemotherapy rounds, he’d go back to work.”
An aggressive and rare cancer
Billy underwent five rounds of chemotherapy, multiple radiation sessions, and a 10-hour surgery to remove the primary tumour found in his chest. Doctors explained that the cancer likely originated from a malformed cell present from birth, which began mutating when he turned 25.
Despite the severity of his condition, Billy remained positive and determined. His oncology team collaborated with specialists around the world, searching for trials or treatments but the disease expanded to his blood, bones, and lungs. A tumour in his hip caused a fracture, leaving him in a wheelchair for the final months of his life.
Heartbreakingly, Billy insisted on attending Christos’s funeral, despite battling a lung infection.
“He stood in front of 500 people and delivered a eulogy,” Nick said. “He pushed himself beyond what anyone thought possible.”
Two days later, he collapsed at home from laboured breathing and was taken to emergency. He died four days later at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, at 11.19pm on 12 November, surrounded by his three brothers, his mother, and his best friend.
The final message
In his final days, Billy received visits from extended family, which brought him comfort. The day before he died, he lost the ability to speak and began writing notes in a small notebook.
His last message, written shakily, but with intention, read: “I’M OKAY.”
“He passed peacefully,” Nick said. “Out of pain, with a subtle smile on his face.”
In his final hours, Billy spoke often about his father.
“He would say things like, ‘I don’t know why Dad wants me up there so fast,’” Nick shared. “Their bond was very close. We pray they are together and at peace.”
A profound loss for the family and community
The deaths of Christos and Billy Sofos have left a deep void, not only within their family, but across Melbourne’s Greek community, which remembers both father and son with profound love and respect.
“Billy suffered physically and mentally for many months, knowing the prognosis was terminal,” Nick added. “At 27, it’s almost impossible to make peace with your own imminent death and at the same time, he was worried about our dad.”
The Sofos family is now holding onto the memory of two cherished lives, a devoted father who fought for five years, and a brilliant young man whose promise was cut heartbreakingly short.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
