Grieving partner pays tribute to café manager killed during Sydney siege
A man has paid tribute to his life partner Tori Johnson, who was killed during the 16-hour café siege in Sydney.
Mr Johnson was killed alongside barrister Katrina Dawson, when the Lindt café he managed in Martin Place was held up by self-described radical cleric Man Haron Monis.
Speaking to 9 News, his partner Thomas Zinn said: “I would like him to be remembered as a humble and very generous person.
“He made it very clear that family was the most important thing in our lives and that we have to cherish that and spend enough time with our families. That was an absolute priority.”
Of the city’s floral tribute, he said: “Tori loves flowers and this is probably the most beautiful thing, you know, and I’m sure he can see it, that he has ever seen.
“And when I was down there yesterday, I could smell the flowers through Sydney and I think it is just amazing that he has been able to make our city smell like flowers.
“I think there is no more beautiful thing that he could have imagined.”
“We are experiencing unimaginable grief but when we look at the sea of flowers, with all the heartfelt messages and the crowds of supporters at Martin Place, we know that this grief is shared by the whole country – and the rest of the world.
“This tragedy will remain with us forever but the uniting effects of this week and how they have galvanised our city, our country, makes us even more proud of Tori and Katrina – and proud of all Australians.”
Mr Johnson’s funeral will be hold next Tuesday.
