Particularly moving was the eulogy delivered by the best man and very close friend of the late Theodoros Pyrillis, Andreas Pittatzis, during his funeral today in Paralimni.
Read the obituary in full:
"History does not remember politicians. It only remembers leaders. Unconventional. Militant. Uncompromising. Visionary. Passionate. Acidic. Just. Leader."
Few people experience it in life, leaving such indelible marks.
The course of Theodoros Pyrillis from the worldly sphere, especially in the last chapter of his life and politics, was stormy.
He climbed onto bulldozers to carve roads. He climbed onto excavators to create beaches. He envisioned, designed, matured and implemented projects worth hundreds of millions. Famagusta Courthouse, Famagusta Urban Planning, Famagusta Land Registry, District Headquarters, Paralimni Marina, swimming pool, Police Headquarters, sports hall, Pernera Road, Kapparis Road, road to Hasies, road to the Fanos Shooting Range. He expropriated properties worth millions, thus setting in motion the regeneration of the central core of Paralimni. He achieved the recognition of Paralimni as an urban center. Some of his projects. For each of them, volumes of books could be written. A legacy for future generations.
He found himself confronted with estates and vested interests and did not hesitate to clash with friends and political allies when they plotted against his homeland. He requested to be expelled from the Democratic Rally, he warned with his independent candidacy for president of the republic, unless they approved his project of the Paralimni Marina. He clashed with the MPs who declared themselves Famagusta residents but promoted the interests of other provinces.
He was honored and glorified by the local community. At the same time, however, he was ridiculed, investigated, denounced, mocked, fought against, by crusaders, nightmares and fifth phalanxes. The war did not overshadow him. He was not afraid to fight for the rights of the place and the Province. When at dawn that day he woke me up to tell me that his house had been blown up, everyone advised him to tone it down. "I will not bow down," you told us, "I will continue to fight for the good of my place and let them kill me."
And to the hordes of investigators who crossed his threshold, he handed over power of attorney documents, practically proving his honesty.
And when the works that were implemented with Herculean efforts and toil, he always made sure to be absent from the inaugurations. He did not like laurels. He did not seek praise and applause. “There is no need,” he said, “the world will see the works.” He was not interested in trivial things. He was interested in the essence and the satisfaction of having performed his duties in full. A debt to everyone.
The presence of Theodore in the public sphere ignited the flame of claim. That this place, this Province, cannot be patronized by others. It cannot continue to be the beggar at the lucullian meal of the other provinces. This flame of claim for the Province was transmitted to everyone. We remain loyal soldiers in his vision for a single and united Province.
And we… who had the privilege of experiencing this magnificent figure up close, in the face of Theodore we found not only our leader. We found our supporter. Generous, compassionate, proud, dignified, supportive, loyal. In the difficulties that each of us faced, he was by our side. A rock. Unwavering. He sacrificed everything for us who were around him. Behind this stormy man, you found a childlike soul. Who was easily hurt. Who gave in to ingratitude. Who regretted if he felt that he was being unfair. Who knew how to say sorry. Who embraced with affection and loved with passion. Who never wanted anyone to learn about his continuous and generous philanthropy. A fierce love for his fellow man.
The greatest love and the love of his life, Kikoulla. In her arms you breathed your last… You would not have wanted any other death than this. Even in death, you did your own thing. You were proud of your Anastasios' progress. You were proud when they told you that he looked like you, but you were even more proud when they told you that he had the sweetness of Kikoulla. You felt proud of your bride, Diamanto. And when you kissed their crowns, you were filled with happiness.
My best friend… my friend… my brother… when the tsunami of injustice hit my life, I leaned on you. And when despair and pain overwhelmed me, your strength became my strength. And when I reached the threshold of ultimate despair, you were there to support me. I am alive today because of your love. Because of your support.
History does not remember politicians. It only remembers leaders. Every brick, every work you did for this place, will be there to remind us of your struggles. It will be there to remind us that by following the beaten path, you cannot forge new paths. It will be there to remind us that in this place, we had the privilege of being led by the stormy politician, but at the same time a wonderful man, Theodoros Pyrillis.
"Theodoros Anastasios Pyrillis. Not as your best man. But as a citizen and as a father, in front of your now lifeless body, I bow to you and thank you for what you have offered for your country."
