KAIK, Ireneusz (Irek)
Born 7 January 1961 – Passed away 16 January 2026.
With deep sadness we share the sudden passing of our beloved Irek, aged 65.
Loving husband to Giuliana.
Cherished brother of Jolanta.
Treasured son of Elizabeth and Josef Kaik (dec).
Much loved son-in-law to Nerina and Dino (dec), brother-in-law to Frank, John, Andria, Daniel and Gina.
The fun uncle to Anita, Chelsea, Luis, Christian, Nicholas and Tahlia.
Friend to all.
His kindness, humour and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral NoticeAt the conclusion of the Mass, the Funeral service will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park.
Our deepest condolences to Giuliana and family on Irek’s sudden passing. We are in shock and so saddened. Irek had an infectious laugh, awesome smile, supportive friend, was so kind and loved socialising with family and friends alike. There better be a well equiped kitchen, bar and garage waiting for you Irek. We love you and you’ll be so missed by us all.
January 20, 2026We are devastated on the passing of our very loved brother in law Irek. Irek you were the most generous and giving person. Our lives will never be the same without you. We are going to miss your kindness and fun loving nature. You were a friend to everyone you met and you will be deeply missed. Thank you for being the most wonderful Zio and brother in law.
January 20, 2026
With broken hearts,
John, Andria, Chelsea, Luis & Christian D’Angelo ❤️Hi Forest,
January 20, 2026
the news of your passing has deeply touched me. It’s hard to find the right words, but I feel the need to say thank you.
I remember you as a rare person: generous, genuine, and able to make people feel at home even on the other side of the world. My time in Australia still lives within me with a full smile and deep gratitude, because it is so closely tied to you, to who you were, and to the moments we shared together.
Even across the distance, I always felt you close. Some people don’t need constant presence or time, they simply remain.
Your memory is part of me.
A big, heartfelt hug to my cug Giuliana, to my aunt Nerina, and to the whole family
With love,
FabioSo saddened to hear of Irek’s passing.. My heart is with you and yours, Giuls, in your time of great loss and sorrow..
Marissa Schill
January 20, 2026Hey donkeyyyyyyyy
January 20, 2026
Can’t believe you left us soooo soon.
But I understood something in this life: death is not the end.
It’s a new beginning!
So I wish you all the best for the continuation of your journey brother.
Give a big hug to Zio Dino and Nonna Meneca for me please.
See you soon up there somewhere donkey!
Love you.
SimoneZio Irek. Our lives just won’t be the same. Such a loving and caring person, I am just so grateful to have had his presence in my life. I will hold all our memories so close, and will never forget the love he gave me. From tickle fights and annoying you on the piano, to having a drink together, I will miss it all. Rest easy my Zio🤍
January 20, 2026Irek, you have left a void that no one can fill, we are all just so saddened. We will miss the banter, the laughs, washing the cup and your famous big bear hugs. You will always be loved and remembered.
January 21, 2026
Linda Jamie Steph and god daughter KaylaMy Darling little brother, there are no words to describe my pain from loosing you. I’m still reaching for the phone to call you ,to ask for ideas, what to cook today. We still had so many COOKING plans and shopping trips, for weird polish foods. No more my Love,my Darling Irus. You will now only be in my heart forever. Frank Anita and I loved you dearly and always will ,forever. Till we meet again my LOVE.💔💔💔
January 21, 2026We are devastated that we’ve lost rek, and we are heartbroken for you Jules. You were so loved by everyone. We will miss the laughter, the mischief, the funny long detailed stories, the big hugs and the loving friendship.
January 21, 2026
All our love to Julie and Yolanda and all the family.
Love from Anna, David, Domenic, Reuben, Heidi, Rupert and Emily xxMy heart is broken for you G and Nonna. I’ll so miss The Boy. X
January 21, 2026Dear cousin Irek
Our journey began when you met my cousin Giuliana at a party we were at, I was visiting from Adelaide and you became a gate crasher when you saw Giuliana. It was an instant attraction on your part, I played the protective cousin at the time but you became part of our family instantly with your sense of humour, kindness and excellent cooking skills. We had fun exploring your language skills, always a laugh and mostly lost in translation. I personally will miss my SciFi watching cousin because we enjoyed our SciFi and could discuss it for hours. I hope you will continue your journey with Peace and Happiness.
January 21, 2026
Lots of Love from your family in Adelaide, zia Gina, zio Quinto (dec), cousin Adelina and Godson KiranaOur heartfelt condolences to Giuliana. We have so many wonderful and fun memories of Irek from the 80s and 90’s, we will cherish them forever.
January 21, 2026
With love & hugs,
Gary & Robyn van der Staay xxOh Julie I’m so sorry to hear the passing of your beautiful Irek, will miss talking about holidays and making sausages. Danny & Gina Chambers
January 21, 2026My sincere condolences to Giuliana and family on Irek’s sudden passing. I am in shock and so saddened by loss of a friend for whom I drank coffee and spun a yarn with regularly every week.
January 21, 2026
Irek had an infectious laugh, awesome smile everytime we’d be talking over coffee. It would be about anything and everything. He was a proud family oriented man that will be deeply missed both at home and afar. His loving family spirit flowed to his socialising with friends and the young kids of our little environment at the coffee shop. We love’d you and you’ll be so missed by us all The place won’t be the same without you Irek. Rest in peace mate 💔☕️
.Dearest Irek, I didn’t know you for a long time but I feel like I did. Your warmth and kindness will never be forgotten. Thank you for the thoughtful coffees and the laughs to brighten up my day.
January 21, 2026
Sending you all my love and prayers Giuls. We are all so blessed to have known such a wonderful and truly special gentleman.Zio Donkey, we will miss your laugh, your smile, and your stories. Such a wonderful man that was always a pleasure to be around. Sending all our love to Julie ❤️. Rest easy mate.
January 21, 2026
James and BriarZio, I am deeply grateful for our time together. I will miss your kindness and warmth, but remember all the great memories I have of you and our family together. The laughs, the drinks, and the lessons you taught me will forever be close to my heart.
January 21, 2026
Rest in Peace, Zio.
Love Luis.Farewell Shoo you left us too early. I’ll miss your warm, caring, funny and creative spirit and will treasure your friendship always. To Jules, Yolanda and family I am so sorry for your devastating loss. Sending all my love, Angie (Anjoo)
January 21, 2026Immensely sad to hear about the passing of Irek. Always happy and always up for a chat. “ you will be missed enjoying your piccolo at Evviva” Sending our love to Julie and all the family 🤍
January 21, 2026
Tripodi familyThe Cefala family are saddened by the passing of Irek. We send our condolences to Julie and all the family.
January 21, 2026Zio Irek
January 21, 2026
thank you for all of the laughs, inside jokes, cocktails and i caffè. You will be deeply missed by everyone, thank you for always making me smile and for being an amazing Zio.
Love always, Chelsea 🤍We extend our deepest sympathies to Giuliana and extended family on the sudden passing of Irek🤍🤍🤍
January 21, 2026
Rita, Joe and FamilyDeepest sympathy Julie for the sad loss of your beautiful Husband Irek , he was such a kind loving , fun friend .
January 21, 2026
Lots of beautiful memories of our soccer glory days , holidays & dinner parties will be cherished for ever
RIP my friendIrek only knew you through working together. What a great individual!!
January 21, 2026
Always happy (nearly) always with a ready smile and lots of cheek.
R.IP. mate. You were one of the good ones.For our dearest Irek, we are so devastated to have lost you so soon. We still had our South Australia trip on hold from 3 years ago and hoped it would eventuate this year. So grateful we got to celebrate your birthday with you. Always lots of laughs and special moments, lots of wonderful memories. We will miss you immensely.
January 21, 2026
Our heartfelt Condolences and deepest sympathies to our dearest Julie.
Enio and Margaret PaoliniCondolences to all who loved and were loved by Irek. I will miss bumping into him around town and his lovely smile. Deepest sympathy to Julie.
January 21, 2026Irek, your kindness & laughter & even your bad jokes around family gatherings will be deeply missed, gone way too soon, rest easy Irek. Our thoughts are with Julie, the Kaik & D’Angelo families xx ❤️
January 21, 2026Irek, your kindness & laughter & even your bad jokes around family gatherings will be deeply missed, gone way too soon, rest easy Irek. Our thoughts are with Julie, the Kaik & D’Angelo families xx ❤️
January 21, 2026To dearest Julie. We are so very sorry to hear this sad news. Our thoughts prayers and love are with you all at this sad time
January 21, 2026
Rest in peace Irek.
Silvana, Daryl, and Caterina SzaboI am in disbelief, Irek gave so much to this world with his huge smile, friendly outgoing nature and laugh we all knew and loved. We’re so blessed to have known and shared a laugh with this man.
My condolences Julie and family. May you find strength in the love and support surrounding you now and always.
Rest in peace Irek.
January 21, 2026
All my love,
StephI still can’t believe it, you left a void that no one can ever fill… you were like a brother, a father to me on my trips to Australia, you always welcomed me into your home, guided me, you were my anchor, our fantastic best man, the Australian uncle that my children loved. Your kindness, your smile, your eternal availability will never be forgotten! I can’t believe I won’t find you welcoming us, next time, but be sure that Julie and I will toast to you, to one of the best men I’ve ever met, because we’ll hear you everywhere! A big hug to my love Julie, to nonna Nerina and all our big Australian family!
January 21, 2026
Love you
Tania Lucio Luca e TeoHow can it be! Such a beatuful, kind person go so suddenly! So sad for you Giuliana to have lost your life partner. Our thoughts are with you. I will miss his “Buon giorno signora” showing off his Italian when he came to the deli to buy his polish goodies. So so sad, there are no words.
January 21, 2026
Un forte abbraccio Giovina & the boys from Mavro’s Deli.A great neighbour when I lived in Swallow Grove always made time to talk to our children. I was very sad to read of his passing way too young. Thinking of you Julie and all his family.
January 21, 2026
RIP Irek
Kim Lenowry and familyCiao Peppino,
come capitava spesso con i tuoi scherzi pieni di vitalità anche stavolta c’hai colto di sorpresa. Ti abbiamo sempre considerato parte della nostra famiglia ma dobbiamo ammettere che non è stato difficile accoglierti, ci è venuto del tutto naturale perché la tua gioia di vivere era incontenibile. Ognuno di noi conserva un ricordo gentile e emozionante del tempo passato con te. In ogni serata passata con te c’erano risate fragorose: le stesse che risuonaneranno per sempre nella nostra mente al tuo ricordo!Sandro, Domenica, Giulia, Vincenzo, Ida, Federica, Valerio
January 22, 2026We are so saddened to read of the passing of Irek, he was always kind and friendly and up for a chat whenever we would pass him by. Sending our love and condolences to you Giulia and family . Janette and Murray Brady.
January 22, 2026Farewell Irek.
January 22, 2026
An excellent draftsman, a lively conversationalist, and a unique sense of style.
Always fun to catch up with.
One of the design office’s gentlemen.
Jim Deering.Guils and family, I’m saddened at this great loss. Irek loved life. He was fun, kind and a pleasure to be around.
January 22, 2026
Sending our love,
Joh and TomDeepest sympathy to Julie and family on your sad loss .
January 22, 2026
We are so shocked and saddened to hear of Irek’s passing . He has been our wonderful friend and neighbour for over 25 years. He was such a generous, kind hearted and lovely man . We will miss his big happy smile and cheeky laugh . He will be so sadly missed ❤️ xx.
Tony and Kerry Buglisi