A Perth great-grandfather who died after being brutally bashed by two men in his front yard has left a parting gift for mourners at his funeral.
84-year-old Emiliano Lombardi was farewelled at a ceremony in Perth yesterday attended by around 100 friends and family.
The much-loved great-grandfather passed away on August 31, after succumbing to his injuries from the August 16 assault outside his home in which police allege he was callously assaulted by two offenders, who used a broken wing mirror from a nearby car to repeatedly slash the defenceless elderly man.
Yesterday, Mr Lombardi was honoured for the kind-hearted man that he was – his casket adorned with fruits and vegetables to mark his passion for tending his garden.
And he shared something with those who attended his funeral – his “famous pasta sauce recipe”.
‘Emmy’s il sugo recipe’ features a traditional Italian tomato pasta sauce with garlic, chilli, onion, cayenne pepper, sausage and garnished with parsley.
His family shared the recipe with those gathered to farewell Mr Lombardi – a final gesture of kindness after what has been an incredible outpouring of love for the 84-year-old from across Australia since news of his assault made headlines.
His daughter, Laura Hussein, said of her father, “He was so happy with so little and he just lived life on his own terms and helped others.”
WA Police have arrested two men over the bashing.
Police will alleged the attack on Mr Lombardi was part of an hour-long crime spree in which the men committed four assaults, and damaged cars, letterboxes and threw a brick through a window.
One of the men is also charged with firearm and drug offences.