The family of Nick Tsiligiris has quashed rumours the renowned Footscray doughnut-maker has died.
Facebook posts claiming the 81-year-old proprietor of Olympic Doughnuts had passed away have been shared thousands of times and the rumour was spread via other social media including Twitter and Reddit.
At no stage had the rumour been checked with any family before it was posted or shared.
The rumour appears to have been triggered by a “Rest in Peace” poster taped to the front of the closed Olympic Doughnuts stall at Footscray Station on Saturday.
But Mr Tsiligiris’s daughter Gina Hasapis told Star Weekly the rumours of the death were baffling.
“I think somebody wants to get a lot of ‘likes’ and comments but it’s not true,” she said.
“It is what it is, but it’s upsetting for people and the family. It’s just caused an enormous amount of work.”
Ms Hasapis said upset family had spent most of Sunday refuting the claims and trying to get the truth out.
She said Nick and the family are in the process of deciding upon the future of Olympic Doughnuts, closed since earlier this year due to Mr Tsiligiris’s poor health.
The Footscray icon’s hot jam doughnuts have long been regarded as among Australia’s best, tempting locals and visitors alike at Footscray railway station since 1979.
The 81-year-old’s doughnuts and life were immortalised last year when filmmakers Ian Tran and Rachel Morssink created the short film Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary, which was this week awarded ‘best film’ at Australia’s 23rd Greek Film Festival.
