This is how community members described the Ballarat restaurateur and identity, who died at his Nerrina home yesterday morning after a suspected heart attack.

The death of Mr Marios, owner of the successful cafe-delicatessen The Olive Grove and pizzeria Nick's, has shocked and saddened the community.

Carl Casella said his friend of 20 years was very passionate about his family, business and Ballarat.

"He was a great ambassador for Ballarat as he travelled the world, and represented Ballarat very well," Mr Casella said.

"He was a big person: big in size, big in status and had a big presence. Everyone knew him. He was a perfectionist. His success shows in his family and business.

"He worked hard and also played hard. Those who played with him would know."

Outside his restaurant ventures, Mr Marios had a passion for motorbikes and shooting.

He was a member of the Ballarat Pistol Club, Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club and Ballarat Motorcycle Touring Club.

"Nick had a passion for motorcycling. He enjoyed the sport side, but favoured the touring side. He got a lot of pleasure out of it. He enjoyed life to the fullest," Mr Casella said.

Ballarat Pistol Club member Graham Taylor said Mr Marios, whom he knew for four years, was always a very colourful person.

"He was always a character. He liked to stand out, (be) centre of attention and told a good story," Mr Taylor said.

"He loved his western action, which he used in competition. He used to wear the full western outfit ... he will be very sadly missed."

Mr Marios loved rockth'nthroll music and had an impressive display of memorabilia from that era.

Piano rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley's original guitarist Gary Burton were among his list of mates and his connections saw him invited to Sun Records' 50th anniversary, held in the Gibson Guitar Lounge

in Memphis.

"He had a great passion for America. He loved the people, but his heart always belonged to Ballarat," Mr Casella said.

He said Mr Marios would be sadly missed by the Ballarat community.

"He was a wonderful person, a very generous person.

"He has died 60 years young."

Mr Marios is survived by his wife Vicky and children Peter, Deanna, Alethea and Alexandra.