Farewell for Countdown security guard Goran Milosavljevic killed after assault

A Serbian father who died after allegedly being assaulted while he was working as a security guard at an Auckland supermarket has been farewelled.

His workmates and the Serbian community have told his two teenage sons they have their full support.

Tears flowed and tributes were given as friends and workmates farewelled security guard Goran Milosavljevic.

Among the mourners were his two teenage sons, Stefan and Alex. They had the hardest job, carrying their father's casket.

"The main issue those two boys... not having his father - who are destined to live alone," said Consulate of the Republic of Serbia Honorary Consul Stevan Berber.

Mr Milosavljevic died in hospital after allegedly being punched while working as a security guard at Countdown in Papakura last week.

The Serbian man moved here about six years ago. Friends said he was working hard to send money to his family back home.

Mr Berber said Mr Milosavljevic's sons moved to New Zealand just a few months ago.

"They came to this stable situation until this new tragedy happened," he said.

Their father's death is one of string of tragedies to hit the family. Mr Milosavljevic's parents were killed in September last year. Serbian website Blic reported the couple died in a car crash near Belgrade. They were driving home after dropping Mr Milosavljevic at the airport.

Auckland Council, neighbours and the Serbian community were rallying around the teenagers.

"They buried him here so they believe they want to stay here," Mr Berber said.

The teens had little money or support here, but Newshub understands they had been taken in by neighbours.

"The boys will need some time to recover and then start again," Mr Berber said.

A 17-year-old has been charged with his manslaughter and will reappear in court later in May.

Newshub.