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Minos Valacas<\/strong> was away from the unit when the fire broke out on July 7<\/strong>, killing his wife, Vicky Valacas<\/strong>, at the scene. Their dog, Bobby, also perished in the blaze. A man in his 30s was treated for smoke inhalation.<\/p>\n Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire, with the matter now before the Coroner.<\/p>\n Since the tragedy, Mr Valacas has been relying on family and friends for temporary accommodation as he struggles to secure a permanent place to live while mourning the loss of his wife.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is 81 years old. He shouldn\u2019t be sleeping on a couch,\u201d his daughter, Sandy Sinesiou<\/strong>, said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re finding it hard to find him accommodation. Nobody is jumping at the opportunity to sign that lease.\u201d<\/p>\n To help her father rebuild his life, Sinesiou launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $5,000<\/strong>. She said the response from the Randwick community has been overwhelming.<\/p>\n \u201cThe neighbours have been amazing. They are all devastated,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Valacas family has long been a familiar and much-loved part of the local community. Mr Valacas spent many years working at a fruit shop in nearby Maroubra, where he became known for his generosity and willingness to help customers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would always carry their groceries to the car,\u201d Sinesiou recalled.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dad would give you the shirt off his back.\u201d<\/p>\n The family\u2019s beloved dog, Bobby, was at the centre of the couple\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the light of their life,\u201d Sinesiou said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were toys and beds everywhere. Every morning Vicky would give Bobby a baby carrot and a little snow pea.\u201d<\/p>\n She described her parents as \u201cthe grandparents of the unit block,\u201d saying they were deeply loved by neighbours and friends alike.<\/p>\n Vicky Valacas is survived by her husband, Minos, her brother Nicholas, and the couple\u2019s children, Christine, Kathy, Andrew and Sandy.<\/p>\n As the investigation into the fire continues, the family is focused on supporting Mr Valacas through the difficult months ahead as he grieves the loss of his wife, his home and the life they built together.<\/p>\n Source Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n