"Irreplaceable," is how Martin Porzig has been described by his best friend Chris Blackburn.
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The two started as teachers at Warrnambool College a week apart and have been friends ever since.
Mr Porzig, 60, was unable to be revived after going for a swim at Lady Bay on Thursday. Mr Blackburn worked at Warrnambool College for longer than his friend did, with Mr Porzig going on to teach at Terang College.
The two would talk for hours, Mr Blackburn said.
"We used to go for a walk every Monday morning, have a coffee at the Pavilion and solve the world's problems," he said.
Former students would often stop and chat to Mr Porzig at the cafe, asking him 'how are you going Marty?'
Politics was always a hot topic for the friends, with the two lamenting Donald Trump's questionable decisions in the US.
Mr Blackburn said he had a great deal of respect for Mr Porzig, who was always positive and incredibly intelligent. "He would have his finger on the pulse with everything that was happening in the world," he said.
"He once described himself to me as the classic jack of all trades, master of none, but I think he was a bit unkind to himself. He was a very clever man. You could have a conversation with him about anything and everything.
"I will miss his conversations, there's no doubt about that. He was always able to enlighten me about something." Mr Blackburn said his friend valued family above everything else.
He is survived by his wife Susan and children Sarah and James, who he adored.
Mr Porzig, who grew up in Geelong, also loved spending time with his sisters Ramona Watts and Virginia Cherry.
The only time Mr Blackburn and his best mate didn't see eye to eye was when Geelong was playing Richmond.
Mr Porzig was a one-eyed Geelong supporter, while Mr Blackburn is a Tigers fan.
"He was such a friendly guy and he was always up for a chat," Mr Blackburn said.
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