John Cerezo and Catherine O'Malley could often be found riding around Lake Illawarra, water skiing or having a nice picnic lunch.
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That is how they planned to spend their retired years together.
But their lives were cut short when they were tragically killed in a multiple-vehicle car crash on the M1 Princes Motorway at West Wollongong on June 28.
Police allege a Lansdowne man cut off a truck as he changed lanes near the Figtree exit, underneath the Mount Keira Road overpass, triggering a deadly chain of events.
John, 70, and Cathy, 54, were trapped inside their car and died at the scene.
Their deaths have left a huge hole in the hearts of their family members and friends.
John's eldest son Steven and his best friend of 47 years Eric Jones are choosing to remember the beloved couple in happier times.
"They used to love coming down to the lake," Mr Jones said.
"They had two three-wheeler push bikes with baskets," Mr Cerezo added.
"One of them would have the dog in the basket and they other would have a picnic and a bottle of wine.
Mr Cerezo described his father and Cathy as "selfless people who would do anything for anyone".
"They were really good for each other and they complemented each other well," he said.
The couple originally purchased their Berkeley home as a holiday house many years ago, then sold it, only to buy it again and make it their permanent home where they were to grow old.
John had retired two years ago after working in the bus industry and Cathy was a retired primary school teacher. They both loved their jobs.
Mr Jones, who lives in Lake Heights, and John were best friends, but were actually more like family, since they started working together in their 20s.
They always ended up working close by even if that meant moving states or cities.
Mr Jones said it was deeply sad for John and Cathy to die in a car crash given John spent his working life on the road.
"He always drove very safely and was never in a rush," Mr Jones said.
"Police came to my door around dinner time to inform us there had been an accident," Mr Cerezo said.
"I jumped in the car and came straight to their house. Then it hit home. It was just senseless."
Mr Jones was in the Philippines when he found out from his son after hearing about the accident on the radio. He got on the first available plane home.
"We are getting there," Mr Jones said.
"It is very hard because their deaths were so sudden and no one expected it to happen like that.
"I am trying to give the boys support but they are giving me support."
Mr Cerezo, who lives near Campbelltown, said the family would spend time together every second weekend.
John had three sons, Steven, Raymond and Ian, during his first marriage and then Jason and Mark during his second. He then met Cathy. John also has two grandchildren Kye-Liam and Brittney.
Mr Cerezo's brothers came together after the tragedy and spent time in John and Cathy's house but have since returned to work.
They still come down on the weekend.
"I have put my job on hold so I can take care of everything," Mr Cerezo said
"A few of my brothers found it hard to stay in the house but I find it hard not to be here. I feel closer to them by being here."
Mr Cerezo said he is worried to slow down and return to the normalcy of life because "that is when their deaths will come round and hit me".
"It has left a big hole in our lives," Mr Cerezo said. "I miss our phone calls a lot."
One of John's other passions was playing in town bands. He was involved in the Burwood, Parramatta and Nowra bands.
"John could play any brass instrument. He was fantastic," Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones said he was proud to have been friends with John for 47 years and in that time "we never had a blue".
"One of John's greatest attributes was his honesty," he said.
"John would tell it like it is and if you didn't like it then bad luck. I admired him for that. He was also a real character and a larrikin.
"Our families became one. We would always help each other. He was just a great mate.
"John and Cathy were made for each other. They will be sadly, sadly missed."
Lansdowne man Graham Squires appeared at Wollongong Local Court last week.
He did not enter a plea, remains on bail and will reappear in court in October.