The funeral of Andreas Karagiannis from Mantres, Famagusta, a permanent resident of Ayia Napa since 1977, who died on the same day at the age of 66, was performed by the Holy Temple of Panagia Ayia Napa on Monday afternoon in a climate of grave mourning. with cancer.
The family, relatives, acquaintances and friends of the deceased, who were devastated, said their last goodbyes.
The funeral speech was delivered by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannettou, who, after praising his personality, characterizing him as a meek, pure, beloved to the local community and a good family man, referred to the decisive role he played in the ancient activities. in Ayia Napa and the wider area.
He also said that he was the man who managed to put Ayia Napa on the World Paleontological Map and the one who led Professor George Theodorou and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens-Department of Geological Environment, the Department of Antiquities, the Department of Geological Survey at the University and Municipality of Ayia Napa for excavations.
Andreas Karagiannis noted "he was one of the first to represent together with the then late Mayor Antonis Tsokko, in an organized exhibition of our Municipality abroad and specifically in the House of Cyprus in Athens where the paleontological findings of endemic mammals were first presented to the public. hippopotamus and elephants of Ayia Napa ".
He also referred to the unequal fight he gave with cancer, a fight as the Mayor of Ayia Napa said, made him even more stubborn just as he learned to do all his life, to fight and win, so he tried with all his might. to win again.
"Having forever in our hearts this self-confidence, wisdom and dynamism, selflessness and honesty, your fighting spirit and your contribution to our Municipality, we say goodbye to you friend Andreas and we are sure that the meeting with your Michalis will soften a little pain and sorrow of your loved ones ".