Theodoros Kyriakou: Giorgos Papadakis was a truly great man

“Giorgos Papadakis was a truly great man, an invaluable colleague, a wonderful family man, an authentic person. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him a good journey,” said the President of the ANT1 Group.

Liarelis: Giorgara, farewell

Stratis Liarelis, in his eulogy, spoke of “a tremendous human being and a selfless character,” adding that “we are not here simply to bid farewell to a journalist, but to a friend, a brother, a father and a husband.

Giorgos was the definition of an authentic person: fair, straightforward, genuine, pure, honest and above all humane.

The sole criterion throughout his life was to defend the truth at any cost, to stand by the weak and the wronged. He counted nothing else, as long as he carried out his duty; he feared nothing.

With simple words and meaningful actions, his presence inspired enduring respect and love among all Greek women and men.

He was a person who did not hesitate to confront entrenched wrongs, who was not afraid to open topics that were taboo for society at a time when no one imagined they could be opened.

He was honest, kind-hearted, a support for everyone; a phone call, a gesture, a wink was enough for him to be there.

Much has been said about his journalistic values, about his contribution to society, and above all about what he himself liked most: that he was the man next door.

What is certain is that Giorgos created a school of thought, a model of personal conduct that serves as a guide for entire generations in a field of pretence, lies and counterfeit behavior. Giorgos was an oasis—probably a solitary oasis.

Giorgos’ legacy remains immeasurable. On the one hand because dozens, if not hundreds, of collaborators who are still active on television were shaped by him, and above all because he excelled on television without changing—always remaining Papadakis. The secret of his success was sincerity and authenticity. Giorgos was the same on camera, off camera, at home, sharing an ouzo with his friends. That was the secret of his success that many could not understand: his love for everything he did, and he did it without complaint.

Of course, he was a pillar—indeed a passion—when it came to his family: his beloved Tina, Konstantis, Phoebus, Iason, and his grandchildren.

Anyone who spoke even for a minute with Giorgos about his family understood what it meant to him.

His loss is an irreplaceable void for his second home, ANT1, with which he collaborated for 37 years, from when Minos Kyriakou decided to launch ANT1 radio.

It is certain that now, up there, the two of them will be talking as always—with intensity, with arguments, with humor—and they will find someone to joke with. They will be laughing.

For all of us colleagues, Giorgos will never be forgotten. The technicians asked me to state something that applies to all ANT1 employees: they all speak well of him because Giorgos treated everyone equally.

Theodoros Kyriakou, with whom he walked the same path for 30 years, the ANT1 executives, and all of us bow with respect and love to Giorgos.

Giorgos, every day for decades people heard a warm “good morning” from you; today we all say “good paradise.”

For me, he was a brother. I was fortunate that he honored me with his friendship. I lived through situations that cannot be described; I know firsthand his ethos, his values and his character.

Giorgara, farewell.

At the Ritsona Crematorium, relatives, friends and colleagues are at this moment bidding a final farewell to Giorgos Papadakis, who passed away suddenly at the age of 74 after a cardiac arrest.

Wreaths in memory of Giorgos Papadakis were sent, among others, by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the president of SYRIZA, Sokratis Famellos, and the government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, who was present in Ritsona, as was the Minister of Labour, Niki Kerameos. Also present were the president of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis, and the party’s spokesperson, Kostas Tsoukalas.

Pavlos Marinakis

Niki Kerameos

Niki Kerameos at the final farewell to Giorgos Papadakis

“Today we bid farewell to the journalist loved by ordinary people, who had a strong social footprint, who entered the homes of all Greeks for many years, who gave great opportunities to young colleagues and young scientists. I will remember him because for many years we worked together in social reporting, a person who was always concerned with the image of citizens and real problems and placed first what people were going through. Farewell,” said PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas.

“Giorgos, beyond the work you know as the host of Good Morning Greece, was for culture. We never asked him for anything and had him refuse us. Unfortunately, he left in this way. He will be missed; I hope there will be successors to his work,” said, visibly moved, Giorgos Papadakis’ friend and actor Christos Fotidis.

Christos Fotidis at the final farewell to Giorgos Papadakis

In its statement, the family of the deceased expressed its warm thanks to everyone who is standing by them during these difficult hours, showing understanding, support and respect for their mourning. At the same time, they have asked those who wish, instead of wreaths, to honor his memory with a donation to the following organizations:

“To Ergastiri” – Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of People with Disabilities
Bank: Alpha Bank
IBAN: GR 2501 4050 3050 300 200 200 1379
Beneficiary: Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of People with Disabilities “To Ergastiri”

“The Smile of the Child”
Bank: Alpha Bank
IBAN: GR4201404410441002101062962
Beneficiary: The Smile of the Child