Mr Wawrzynczak was recovering in hospital from a motorcycle accident several weeks ago.

He was born in Britain and became an Australian citizen in 1967. After moving to Canberra in 2001 he became the general manager of Canberra Youth, and later multicultural arts officer with ArtsACT.

Most recently he ran the Belconnen community arts and culture program.

''He was so deeply loved by so many in the community,'' his wife, Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak, said yesterday.

Over 35 years he worked as an actor, writer, director, designer and manager in professional theatre across Australia and in Europe.

Mr Wawrzynczak is survived by his wife, his son Tristan and stepson Callum Doyle-Scott.