The twin brother of Mercury Psillakis, the 57-year-old surfer we can now name as the man killed in a shark attack off the poles at Dee Why yesterday, has shared one of his favourite photos of the pair together (Mercury on the left, pictured main).
Mike Psillakis, a well-known surfboard shaper in Brookvale, said he was in too much grief to share words but passed on this image to Manly Observer this morning.
He later shared this public tribute:
“This is the hardest moment of my life
He was my Ying, I was his Yang
He was my mirror, my blood, my DNA.
We were telepathic.
We share the same soul.
Mercury was my life, my right hand man.
Words cannot describe the bond we had together growing up. We had our own language and shared the same dreams, literally.
The experiences we had together were truly amazing.
[His] message to all is to live life with pure passion.
Express ALL emotions, whether they are happy, sad angry, or mad.
Tell your loved one’s that you love them. Hold them tight.
Get rid of the filter that hides who you really are.
He was passionate about being REAL !
He would be the life at every party. The pure energy from him could be felt in every corner
In later years he developed a passion for exotic palmsand one of the best at palm seedling germination in which nurseries admired and bought.
He loved his wife Maria and Freedom so very much. Please send them support in any way you can
Thank you all for the heart felt message of support. I love you all
I LOVE YOU BRO
YOU ARE FOREVER WITH ME, THROUGH ME.”
Mercury Psillakis was an experienced surfer and a regular at Long Reef and Dee Why beaches. He leaves behind a wife and daughter, both of whom were on scene yesterday after news of his passing, as was Mike.
Long Reef Boardriders Club (@longyboardriders) today shared a touching tribute to Mercury; they said we had lost “Long Reef’s Son.”
“Merc was an outstanding surfer, being club champion, had an outstanding junior career and surfed with his heart for Longy in many TAG Team events. However, how you’re judged as a person in your community and wider community is way more important.”
“Mercury was loved by everyone. He was a passionate, caring, loyal, loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to everyone. Anyone who spent time with him (and there are many of you) will have a special story of him. His encouragement of young groms, his delight at a friend’s marriage or birth, and celebrating all the good things in life and his kind words in moments of need will always be remembered.”
“In the history of Long Reef, no family has deeper roots to the waters of Longy. Dad Nikita the fisherman, Mum Elefteria the strength. Merc and Mike have spent more time in the ocean at Longy than any people on the planet. That’s a fact.”
“Merc travelled the world chasing his love of waves to Nias, Ments, Indo, France, Spain, Portugal, Samoa to name a few, but no love was greater than his love for his wife Maria, daughter Freedom, Mum Elefteria, Dad Nikita, sisters Eleni and Chrisanthy and twin brother Mike.
“In the history of Long Reef, no family has deeper roots to the waters of Longy”
“This is something that will have such a massive effect on our community and the wider community. Please give lots of love and support to the extended Psillakis family. We lost our treasured friend and we will never forget you.
“Thank you to the police, ambos and first responders – you are special people.”
Yesterday’s rare and unfortunate event was the first shark fatality on the beaches in several decades. A 2-metre great white has been detected in the area today (caught and released at Collaroy about 9.30am), as well as yesterday morning, a few hours before the attack. The one involved in the attack has been described as closer to 3 metres.
The shark nets at Dee Why were in place, as were three drum lines at Long Reef, which are part of the Department of Primary Industries’ hotly debated Shark Mitigation Program. Drum lines are baited hooks. Sharks are tagged and released from them.
A planned trial to remove a net at one Northern Beaches location this season may no longer go ahead.
Dee Why Beach remains closed, and flowers are being laid near the site of Mercury’s death on the sand.
