Salty Rooster Manly burger shop founder Jimmy Sagiotis dies

The beloved owner of a cult Sydney burger store has tragically died aged 48, leaving behind a grieving fiance and four young children.

Jimmy Sagiotis, the man behind Salty Rooster in Queenscliff on the northern beaches, passed away on October 5 after suffering multiple heart attacks.

Sagiotis is survived by his two sons, Harrison and Hudson, his fiance Claudine Rochecouste, and her two children Eli and Amelie.

In a cruel double blow, Sagiotis’ late-wife Renee passed away in eerily similar circumstances just six years ago.

“Jimmy had a minor heart attack Wednesday night and by the time he got to the hospital in the ambulance, he had additional heart attacks that required serious treatment,” the family said in a statement, according to the Manly Observer.

“No one would ever imagine that the light of our lives would not make it. It’s just surreal. Complete and utter shock.”

‘Don’t leave, I can’t breathe’: Cruel double blow

In a heartbreaking interview with the Northern Beaches Review in 2020, Sagiotis spoke about how the sudden death of his then-wife Renee almost broke him.

The businessman revealed how his partner, 36, had spent the night sleeping with their two kids on the morning she passed away.

“As I ran back into our house she goes: ‘don’t leave, don’t leave, I can’t breathe’. I knew it was really bad,” he told the publication.

“I put her on the floor to try and resuscitate her, and at the same time I’m on the phone to Triple 0.

“The ambulance was just down the road, but they were taking so long and asking so many questions and I’m trying to keep her alive.

“They finally arrived and gave her adrenaline shot after adrenaline shot but it didn’t work. There was no oxygen to her brain.

“At the hospital, the doctor and the psychologist sat me down and told me she had passed away - it all happened very fast.”

Sagiotis said he closed down his original Salty Rooster store in Narrabeen in the wake of her death as he struggled to deal with grief.

It was a healing family trip to Miami that “changed everything” and he returned with a new zest for work and life.

He relaunched Salty Rooster in Queenscliff, relocated to Manly with his two kids, launched a charity to help kids struggling with grief and trauma and met his “soulmate” Claudine.

Outpouring of grief, community broken

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with the unexpected funeral costs as well as the “much-needed support for their four children”.

“Jimmy was a larger than life man, whose unstoppable work ethic, impressive charitable support to our community, and deep love for his family and friends can never be replaced,” the page’s statement reads.

“His family has been unbelievably touched by the flowers, messages of support and love shown during this unimaginable period of grief.”

He dedicated himself to his two sons after his late-wife’s passing while managing his business.

“He then met and fell in love with Claudine, and together with her children, Eli and Amelie, they became the ultimate blended family.

“Family was number one to Jimmy. Every spare minute in Jimmy’s life was spent taking the kids on trips, outings, or just fooling around, while remaining a supportive and loving partner to his twin flame, Claudine.

“Claudine has lost her soulmate and best friend, and the children have lost their incredible father. Life will never be the same for them, but with our support, we hope they will continue living the life Jimmy had dreamed of for them,” the page reads, thanking everyone for the help and support offered.

The Salty Rooster Facebook page has been flooded with comments of support and grief.

Many came together to reflect on Sagiotis’ kind nature, calling him “one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet”.

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Others commented on his great customer service, describing how he’d give “salty chips and the best laughs through some of the toughest times”.

Mr Sagiotis will be farewelled next week, with a notice for the funeral being extended to the Salty Rooster community.

“His love, laughter and generosity will be dearly missed by all,” the Facebook post read.

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