In Memory of my Beloved Father.......

A father, a husband, a brother, a friend, a chef but above all a good and decent human being respected by others and always with a smile on his face. He always had something positive to say about everyone and everything! He managed, he was lucky enough, to have a happy life full of love and care.

Charalambos Ioannou Hadjisofocli, born at the Cypriot village of Gerolakkos on May 26, 1926. His parents were relatively wealthy (as it is measured in material possessions) but he never really cared. After graduating the elementary school he decided to face life head on. He left the comfort of his family home to work at the construction site of the new Cyprus International Airport. He was also a musician! He was a soccer player! He was involved in the community! I cannot forget the last couple of days of his life while at the hospital his friends, neighbors, relatives poured in to see him. To perhaps connect with him, through his smile and kindness, one last time. He worked mostly with British and US organizations such as the US Embassy in Nicosia.

My sister and I adored him. He was the kind of father who was not involved in the details of our lives but he always cared. When I think about it, it was much better that he just tried to give us some basic direction about life, some important ethics and values to leave by, and then he let go. In some cases he was adamant about us following certain social norms but he was never a pain in the ass. He trusted us!

He never had anything bad to say about anyone! Always, with kind words and a smile on his face. People remember him for the proud, and quite an that he was. He was a family man!

We will miss you my friend but we will always remember you through good and bad. Everything that was your life will guide us through ours. Your legacy will be passed on to our kids and the people around us through the values you instilled in us.

Love you!