Spero Davias was a "larger than life character" who loved music and technology and made a lasting impression on many people he met. Login or signup to continue reading The lifelong Novocastrian, who owned the Sound World retail chain, had a stroke on Tuesday morning. He died that night at age 75.
His wife Liz Davias said Spero had "left a huge legacy" with his three sons George, Peter and Paul. Peter said his dad "played a very active role in the community for such a long time". "He had this way of drawing people into his world.
People felt really comfortable talking to him," he said. Many people left tributes for Spero on social media, after the family announced his death. George said his dad "made a mark on so many people".
"He was a positive character who was always telling people he was OK - even when he wasn't," he said. Spero was on dialysis for chronic kidney disease . He also lived with type 2 diabetes.
The Hamilton East resident was an electrician by trade, but moved into retail with a chain of Sound World stores that operated across the Hunter from 1974 to 2006. "He did things his way and was fascinated with technology and innovation," Peter said. He was a pioneer of wireless networks and fibre optic cable in Newcastle, and among the first to own a mobile phone when they were like "a large brick in your hand".
The family had the internet before web browsers emerged. Liz said Spero developed "an incredible curiosity with electricity from a very young age". "His famil.