Spero Davias was a "larger than life character" who loved music and technology and made a lasting impression on many people he met.
The lifelong Novocastrian, who owned the Sound World retail chain, had a stroke on Tuesday morning.
He died that night at age 75.
His wife Liz Davias said Spero had "left a huge legacy" with his three sons George, Peter and Paul.
Peter said his dad "played a very active role in the community for such a long time".
"He had this way of drawing people into his world. People felt really comfortable talking to him," he said.
Many people left tributes for Spero on social media, after the family announced his death.
George said his dad "made a mark on so many people".
"He was a positive character who was always telling people he was OK - even when he wasn't," he said.
Spero was on dialysis for chronic kidney disease. He also lived with type 2 diabetes.
The Hamilton East resident was an electrician by trade, but moved into retail with a chain of Sound World stores that operated across the Hunter from 1974 to 2006.
"He did things his way and was fascinated with technology and innovation," Peter said.
He was a pioneer of wireless networks and fibre optic cable in Newcastle, and among the first to own a mobile phone when they were like "a large brick in your hand".
The family had the internet before web browsers emerged.
Liz said Spero developed "an incredible curiosity with electricity from a very young age".
"His family would despair over him killing himself because he used to try to find out how things worked," she said.
"The curiosity developed into a career as an electrician, but he became more into electronics."
He also loved music and going to gigs.
While unconscious in hospital on Tuesday, Liz suggested they play some music.
"I put my phone next to his head and played The House of the Rising Sun by The Animals," George said.
"Within 10 seconds, his feet started moving to the tune. We played music for him all day.
"His favourites were Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Stones."
Liz added that he "absolutely loved good quality sound".
"He loved bass - too much. Often the windows would rattle."
When the family watched movies together, "he'd always make sure we had the right surround sound", George said.
Spero was in a lot of newspaper articles over the years.
"He was an amazing self-promoter, almost to the point of being cringingly embarrassing," Liz quipped.
George added that "he loved every article written about him".
In his retirement years, he ran a History of Hunter Street website.
"Many of his family had cafes there," Liz said.
His last Sound World store, which closed in 2006 when CD sales declined, was in Hunter Street mall.
"Hunter Street and Newcastle Beach were his stomping ground," Liz said.
Spero was born in Australia, but his family was from the Greek island of Ithaca.
His dad moved to Australia in the 1920s.
"They came out because of poverty after the First World War. They came for opportunities," Liz said.
"His mother came out after the Second World War for the same reason.
"They had very strong links to the old country and lots of family get-togethers - the Greek culture was very strong in their lives."
As well as his wife and kids, he is survived by six grandkids - Spero, Xander, Dylan, Rosa, Layla and Ivy.
His funeral will be held at St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton East on Wednesday at 10am.
