Being a cousin of Menos, I am part of his Greek family life. My earliest and most vivid memories of Menos are of his days as a medical student in Athens. Memories of the family's large and spacious apartment in Kolonaki, where I often visited with my mother. i was about 5 y.o. at the time and i remember Menos and his best friend - they would pick me up and throw me up in the air and toss me from the one to the other - I just loved it all! It was such fun, the energy and fun radiated from Menos was wonderful. Next thing I remember is Menos studying hard during exams - I would miss out on all the fun and had to keep quiet and far from his room. Yet I often managed to sneak in and found my cousin surrounded by anatomy posters, model skeletons and buried in medical books. His mum, my beloved aunty Vivi, one of the greatest cooks eve, would fix her unbeatable 'hand-beaten eggs (zabaglione style) for us. Next vivid childhood memories of my cousin were of the times he visited us on the island of Poros with his sisters, always giving us all joy, lots of laughs and happy moments.
The nest phase of coming close to Menos again was during my student days in England, the time when Menos was in Leeds. He often came down to London, always treating me to wonderful dinners and musical shows. It was always such a pleasure seeing him again. Unfortunately we lost each other for a long time since then, Menos being in England ,while I returned to Greece.
And next, many years later, when we came over to Keele with my daughter Maro and Menos showed us around the medical school anatomy labs. I remember the first sight of him coming down the stairs from his office, wearing a bow tie, and being struck by the amazing resemblance to his father Makis who had passed away many years back. We met up with Hilary and drove to York - will never forget the drive ! We had a wonderful few days up in York, you all made us feel so welcome and at home. Many laughs with Maro - we will always remember the Dungeon (will post photo shortly), the cooking, the music, the jokes - as your friends say, Menos had the charisma of making people feel at ease and bringing out the best in them. Alas, that was the last we saw of Menos... and it make me think that it was a great shame we were lost for so many intervening years.
it is certain that you will be missed Meno, especially by your beloved ones, especially by Hilary and your daughters but I am sure that you will live on in their spirit and hearts. We will all cherish our happy memories of you. May you rest in peace.
Geia sou Meno mou, kalo taxidi kai kali antamosi,
Oly