Dimitris Mavropoulos left a unique mark on his beloved Limassol, the President of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Limassol Real Estate Association—and a personal friend of his— Andreas Tsoulofta, who believes that unfortunate circumstances, the absence of Coast Guard and Maritime Police vessels, and the former rally driver’s risk-taking nature, all contributed to last Saturday’s tragedy at Cape Greco.
As Mr. Tsouloptas states, “Dimis and I have known each other since 1984, when we raced together in rallies,” while noting that a week before the tragic accident, he was a guest on a friend’s boat, next to Dimis Mavropoulos’s boat, where he was staying for his summer vacation with his wife and daughter.
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“We took the dinghy (a small boat) next to Dimis’s yacht and told him that everyone was planning to leave, since the weather was going to turn bad, but he told us he would stay for another week,” he said, adding that, in response to pleas for him to leave, he remarked that this wasn’t the first time he’d faced storms.
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Dimis, he continues, just as with cars, had vast experience with boats and “felt he could handle the situation just as he had in similar cases in the past, but no one expected winds of that intensity or waves of that size.”
He noted that he had been kept constantly updated on the events of last Saturday by friends who were in the area, emphasizing that “Dimis was always reckless and took risks, believing he’d make it through, but the sea is unforgiving and demands respect.”
Describing it as a “truly sad incident,” Mr. Tsoulofta expressed the view that “there was a lack of prompt action on the part of the authorities, since if the Port and Maritime Police—which has a large vessel and is experienced—had arrived there in time, they could have helped.”
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Describing Dimis Mavropoulos as “a man of great character, a vibrant person who loved Limassol and contributed so much,” Andreas Tsouloptas said that “as a member of the Board of Directors of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEL) and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ETAP), he was always punctual in attending meetings, he loved the Chamber and the business community, and he was always by our side at all the events we organized to promote the city and its development.”
Regarding the EVEL meeting scheduled for next Monday, he added, Dimis Mavropoulos’s absence will be deeply felt, and the Chamber will discuss proposals to pay tribute to its member who so tragically passed away.
He also expressed the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s readiness to support the Cyprus Museum of Historic and Classic Cars, a vision of Dimos Mavropoulos that has been in operation since 2014, featuring a vast collection of rare and classic cars.
Meanwhile, in a statement released today, the Cyprus Museum of Historic and Classic Cars and the Cyprus Historic and Classic Vehicles Club express their deep sorrow “over the unjust and untimely passing of the beloved founder of the Museum and the Club, Dimis Mavropoulos.”
“A man with boundless love and passion for cars. A man who dedicated a large part of his life to service, philanthropy, and the community,” the statement reads, adding that “his love for Limassol, his hometown, was special and deep.”
His passing, the statement continues, leaves a huge void in the hearts of those who had the honor of knowing him, working with him, and sharing with him his love for cars, philanthropy, and our homeland.
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The Museum notes that it will remain closed until the funeral service is completed; the date and time of which will be announced later.
Source: CNA
