A memorial service for the community will be held next week to farewell a well-known pharmacist on Auckland's Karangahape Rd.
Suresh Rama, who ran Lambs Pharmacy on K Rd for close to 35 years, died earlier this week.
A funeral for Rama was being held at Manukau Memorial Gardens on Saturday at 1pm, while a K Rd Memorial Service would be held 3pm next Wednesday at Pitt St Methodist Church.
K Rd Business Association general manager Jamey Holloway said Rama was an "OG" of K Rd, who also had time for everyone.
"He guides people and keeps an eye over everything... he has a lot of time for everyone.
"Suresh was a really funny, witty, intelligent guy."
Holloway said Rama was known for helping out anyone on the street who needed it and would often help people who were sleeping rough find somewhere to stay.
"He was a massively generous soul with a big heart, just one of those sparkly people.
"It's hard to do the man justice (with words), he had a real lust for life, he would be chuffed that everyone is missing him I think."
Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick paid tribute to Rama on social media: "In the next few days, we will find adequate words to reckon with the loss of such a giant of generosity and kindness. Rest in power, Suresh."
An obituary published online for Rama said he "passed peacefully" on Wednesday and was a beloved husband, father, brother, brother-in-law and friend.
In place of flowers his family asked for donations to be made to The Kidney Society.
-RNZ