Tributes are flowing for 81-year-old Chok Ming Chan, fondly known as ‘Billy’ by locals, who was found with serious injuries in Port Macquarie on October 4 and has since died in hospital.
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Shortly after 11pm on October 4 emergency services were called to William Street and found Mr Chan with serious head injuries.
He died in Port Macquarie Hospital on Monday, October 10.
Port Macquarie recreational angler Lloyd Eyles met Mr Chan when he first came to town and they became good friends.
“Bill would come along to the co-op where we cleaned the fish, as he was new to the scene,” he said.
Mr Eyles said that Mr Chan had a keen interest in puffer fish, as it had been part of his culture to eat them, even though they were poisonous.
A group of about 20 used to fish from 6pm until 3am most nights and would chat to Billy as he came past on his nightly walk from Town Beach to Westport.
“He was always interested in if we had caught any fish,” Mr Eyles said.
The fishermen used to give Mr Chan yabbies whenever they had any to give.
Mr Eyles said even though there was a bit of a language barrier between them, Mr Chan was always a part of their fishing family and an integral member of the Port Macquarie community.
“He got on with people because he didn’t have an ounce of anger in his bones,” he said.
“All the local blokes (fishermen) respected and accepted him as one of the family.”
Local residents have also paid their respects on social media. There have been calls to name the fishing tables at Westport in memory of Mr Chan. Others have remembered Mr Chan as a ‘a gentle man with a kind soul’.
Strike Force Merle has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Chan’s death.
Initial appeals to the public for information on the incident resulted in a number of witnesses coming forward, however police believe there may be more people who have information and have not yet spoken to them.
Anyone who may have been in the area of William and Short Streets, Port Macquarie about 11pm on Tuesday 4 October, or anyone who may have information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
