With words of deep emotion, the Mayor of Paralimni-Derynia, Giorgos Nikolettos, bids farewell to his father.
Same as his post:
Our beloved father, grandfather and husband.
Unfortunately, what we have been experiencing since early yesterday morning is what I have always feared, the moment of farewell.
You were a prominent personality in Paralimni, with enormous contributions to the community of Paralimni and beyond.
But above all, you were a wonderful person with a capital A.
You taught me what dignity means; what it means to offer to your fellow man selflessly, without ever asking for anything in return. You taught me what it means to offer to our society with ethics and consistency.
I remember myself as a little child following you in every activity: in the training sessions of your favorite team, the Union, in the endless sessions at the club, in the Scouting Club in Paralimni, but also in the camps in Platania, in the dance groups, in the schools, in the headquarters of the teachers' union movement.
From you I acquired sociability and a love for contributing to our society.
You were born in Paralimni on December 16, 1948. Your parents were Georgios Nikolettou (Asprokourios) and Chrystallou Demostheni (Ttallou).
After graduating from the Greek High School of Famagusta and your service in the National Guard, you studied at the Cyprus Pedagogical Academy and served as a teacher and principal in various schools in Cyprus.
You were married to Eleni Koitazou Nikolettou, a retired elementary school principal. You had two children and five grandchildren: Spartiatis, Eleni, Athena, Elena and Kyriakos.
You were a founding member of the Paralimni Lions Club and served as president, receiving various Lions awards.
You participated for many years in various positions and the position of President in the Board of Directors of the "Paralimni Youth Association".
You were actively involved in the Paralimni Middle and High School Parents' Association as well as the Pancyprian Confederation of Parents' Associations.
From the first years of your appointment, you actively participated in the teachers' union movement. You served as president of the Famagusta District Committee of the Teachers' Union and as a member of the Teachers' Union's Board of Directors.
You served Scouting in various positions—System Leader, District Superintendent, member of the Board of Directors of the Scout Association—and were honored with many scouting distinctions from both the Cyprus Scout Association and the Greek Scout Association.
Since your student years, you have been involved with Cypriot and Greek dances.
From 1970 to 2003 you taught Cypriot and Greek dances without asking for payment or compensation from anyone.
You created the first dance group in Paralimni as well as the dance group of the Municipality of Paralimni.
You participated in events throughout Cyprus and at the Lefkada International Festival.
You published the book "Dances of Cyprus and the traditional wedding in Paralimni".
You were appointed ecclesiastical commissioner of the Metropolitan Church of Saint George of Paralimni by the Metropolis of Constantia-Famagusta for the period 2009–2018.
The legacy you leave us is enormous: dignity, love for your fellow man, and selfless contribution to society.
Since yesterday, I, your daughter Stalo, your wife and your five beloved grandchildren have been receiving messages of support from all over Cyprus and we thank you all warmly.
Very often in his discussions with people he would end with the phrase "everyone is right" and in his way he conveyed empathy and productive reflection.
I remember my first political steps, more than 25 years ago, when just saying the name "Spartan" would open doors.
Thank you for everything you taught me.
Eternal memory to you. Good Heavens.
