GOOD BYE DEMOS...Ο ΔΗΜΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΙΔΗΣ ΕΦΥΓΕ..ΣΤΑ 63 ΣΤΟ ΒΙΕΤΝΑΜ..ΤΙ ΝΑ ΠΩ. ΑΣ ΔΟΥΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΤΡΥΦΕΡΗ ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΗ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΡΗΣ ΤΟΥ CAROLINE ΤΟΥ ΤΕΛΟΥΣ. ΔΗΜΟΣΘΕΝΗ ΕΛΛΕΙΨΕΣ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΑΛΛΑ ΧΤΕΣ ΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΣΕ ΘΥΜΗΘΗΚΑΜΕ ΟΙ ΠΑΛΙΟΙ..

''The family had a conference call with Niles last night, so we have more information to share about the beautiful service they gave him over in Vietnam.

My dad's close friends, with Niles, held a traditional Buddhist ceremony for my dad. First he was placed in a casket and covered with a white cloth. Then they placed fake money in the casket to take with him to the afterlife. They also placed a large, heavy bag of jasmine and green tea leaves over his body in the casket (I don't know why). Niles joked that this would have pleased him since he loved tea so much. They carried the casket by car to a temple, where it was placed on display (closed) and surrounded by incense and candles. Niles and my dad's good friend Tan sat next to the casket for 24 hours, greeting visitors who came to give condolence. Each time a visitor came, Niles would bow with them and give them incense and candles to light. Niles said that within the 24-hour period, about 80 people came to pay their respects! Included was my dad's hair dresser, the entire company he worked with, other business associates he had in Vietnam, personal friends, his driver, and many more. Apparently my dad was quite popular! Each person sat with Niles and talked to him - some for many hours. They all shared stories about my dad. After the 24-hour period, monks chanted and then the body was taken to a crematory, where Niles was asked to light the fire, which he said he did with pride.

Niles said that this experience was the most special (and definitely most spiritual) experience he has ever been through and that he is thankful to have met so many people who loved my dad. At the beginning, he was hysterically sobbing every time a visitor came, but by the end he said he had found a quiet peace inside of himself.

We could not be more proud of Niles. He represented the family well and my dad was given the good-bye he deserved, surrounded by loved ones.

We are not sure how long Niles will be in Vietnam. He has not found my dad's will or all the necessary paperwork, and the Vietnamese government is not the easiest (or fastest) to work with, as you can probably imagine. But luckily he has help from Tan and other friends. We have our fingers crossed that he comes home soon.

Please feel free to pass around this story to others in the family so they know about it.

I am so sorry to hear about Dimitra. Please be sure to send her my love. I am thinking of all of you daily. And please give congratulations to Constantine for me!

Love,

Caroline''
Hello kids
Yesterday night we had a memorial evening in Penny' s house. Many friends of your dad. In Athens. Well, what can I say.. Memories and sadness. A few days ago we have lost also Stella..Both left Greece 40 years ago. But the memories of those days, as we were young are strong.  

Antonis