But in a freak workplace accident that has left his family and friends devastated, the Griffith 21-year-old was killed on Saturday when a 39-metre concrete pouring boom collapsed on top of him at a Canberra building site.

Ben's parents Barney and Kay Catanzariti made the sombre journey to Canberra yesterday, where their son had been living for the past 18 months, to formally identify his body.

Tributes have flowed in for the former Wade High student and talented sportsman, who was well known in local athletics, rugby league and basketball circles.

He has been remembered as a "rough diamond" with a heart of gold, a hard working concreter with a passion for his family and a mischievous, fun-loving streak.

Mrs Catanzariti said she would forever treasure her final conversation with Ben on Friday night, less than 12 hours before the tragic accident.

"For some reason, I just knew I had to speak to him," Mrs Catanzariti said.

"I called him and told him how much I loved him and how proud I was of him ...”

She said Ben maintained a child-like innocence that drew people to him.

“He touched a lot of people because he genuinely cared about them,” she said.

“He wasn’t your normal teenager ... he had so much patience and respect but still lived life to the fullest.

“He spoke to us every day, sometimes a few times every day.”

Mr Catanzariti said while his son was not academically brilliant, he was driven to succeed professionally, even working as a security guard during the recent building industry slowdown.

“He really wanted to buy a house in Canberra and he would have,” Mr Catanzariti said.

“He worked and he played hard and if work was hard to come by, he didn’t sit on his bum, he went out there and found it.

“He loved country life and country music and was a real ‘nonna’s boy’ at heart.”

Ben’s partner of seven months, Kahliia Boyd, was one of dozens that expressed their grief at his death by posting memories on his Facebook page.

“You left me too soon, baby ... I don’t know how I’ll get through this pain without you,” she wrote.

Another close friend, Luke Farmer, echoed the shock of many at Ben’s passing.

“I was just talking to you on Friday night and next morning you’re gone,” he posted.

“Why you? You loved life and loved your family and friends and your job.

“Bye my friend, we will meet again.”

Two other workers from Belconnen Concrete, where Ben had started working just three weeks ago, were injured in Saturday’s accident and remain in a serious but stable condition at Canberra Hospital.

The accident shut down work at the multimillion-dollar Dockside Apartment development in Kingston while an investigation takes place.

Ben Catanzariti is survived by brother Jack and parents Kay and Barney.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.

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