Our/my thanks to Robert (Bob) Blake, who has kindly sent the following, the funeral took place Thursday 28th August.
There was a good turnout of family members, although not all could attend being age related and unable to travel from the Greek Islands. Tino Duris was unable to attend as he was on a family holiday in Greece.
The service was excellent and anyone who knew Vel as a work colleague, or friend or both would have enjoyed the insight into Vel’s life from the cradle to the grave.
After Vel retired he attended Liverpool University studying Philosophy and Music gaining a Degree, a Master”s Degree (all with pass marks in excess of 85%) and was half way through his Phd in the same subjects (sadly cut short by his passing).
During the service a reading was delivered by his Grandson Paul during which he revealed with great pride and love for Vel, that he also studied the same subjects at the same time at the University of Liverpool gaining degrees which probably had not been done before.
It would almost seem like a glib joke if anyone were to ask him who he went to “Uni” with and he could reply with a smile on his face “My Grandad”.
The underlying theme of the service and later discussions with family members was that of Vel being very proud and loving to all the family through all the generations from Vel’s Grandfather all the way through to his Grand Children.
Vellissarios Gregorios Athanassiadis
“ Vel Athans”
RIP.
