‘It was pretty huge what he did for me’

When the Greek man Spiros Poros arrived in Cambridge with his New Zealand family, he had no friends, but Richard Bright soon changed his mind.

The two formed a direct connection and Bright became the closest person to Poros in New Zealand, standing by him as his marriage to former supermodel Kylie Bax fell apart and they were banished in a legal battle.

Poros, an international photographer, spent yesterday in tears over a man who trusted and believed him along with his good friend Rick Williams.

The recent fisherman and witty Cambridge publisher was one of five people who died on Sunday after the fisherman’s charter enchanter, in which they were, was overturned by a devastating wave.

Mike Lovett, 72, Geoffrey Allen, 72, Mark Walker, 41 of Cambridge also died, along with 43-year-old Mark Sanders of Te Awamutu. Five others spent four hours in the water before getting used to safety.

But it is the 63-year-old Bright’s kindness and support that Poros will never forget.

The couple met at Bright’s then restaurant not long after Poros arrived in the country in 2013 and has remained friends ever since.

As Poros’ personal life fell apart, Bright adhered to his principles and stood up for what he thought was right, even if it meant making enemies along the way, he said.

As Poros went through a very public and messy marriage separation, it was Bright who was the first person to offer support and he, along with three others, helped him more than anyone.

Bright’s wife Brenda and his daughter also cared for his children and he even took Poros and his daughter to the doctors when they were both sick.

In 2014, Poros moved to Auckland, but the couple remained good friends with Poros, would never go to Hamilton or Cambridge without seeing him.

“The whole time I was in New Zealand, I was in very close contact with Richard.”

Poros moved to Europe three years ago, but they kept in touch and he last spoke to Bright two months ago.

He was messaging mutual friend and horse trainer Chris Wood just last week after asking him.

It was Wood who then texted him this week to tell him that the character died larger than life in the boat incident.

“I was devastated. I was in tears all day yesterday. I could not believe it,” he said.

“Richard meant a lot to me. When you meet people under these circumstances, they are always in your heart until you really die. It was pretty huge what he did for me when he stood by me.”

Poros even joined Bright on a fishing trip in the Bay of Islands eight years ago, saying his friend was angry about fishing and hunting.

“Richard and Rick Williams were legends for me. Rick Williams is still there. They are hammering into my heart.

“He was very generous, he was a very good friend. I say that not just because he is my friend, but he was a really really good man. He had a good heart, a big heart.”

Poros also met the other boat victims through his visit to see Bright in the Group 1 Tavern and thinks that this is how they know each other, by drinking at his bar.