Migrant from Crete dies from coronavirus in New Zealand

Christos Tzanoudakis was born in Topolia, Chania, Crete, on October 8, 1933. He was 86 years old when he died in New Zealand from a coronavirus. His daughter had recently travelled from Greece to take her father back to Crete, but did not succeed. Their plans were overtaken by the deadly pandemic of the coronavirus.

Ο Χρήστος Τζανουδάκης μετανάστης από την Κρήτη, έχασε την ζωή του στην Νέα Ζηλανδία απο κορωνοϊό Source: Supplied

A Greek migrant from Crete, former president and founding member of the Cretan Association of New Zealand, was the fourth victim of the coronavirus pandemic in New Zealand. Christos Tzanoudakis was born in Topolia, Chania, Crete, on October 8, 1933. He was 86 years old when he died in New Zealand during the coronavirus pandemic.

He immigrated to New Zealand in 1963-64, where he married, had two children and two grandchildren. At first he worked in factories, then for many years as a dock worker and then he opened his own fishing shop, where he worked until he retired. At the same time, he did not stop helping out the Greek - New Zealand community. He was a founding member and president of the New Zealand Cretan Association. Active member of the Greek community. But above all, a man with patience, a smile and a non-profit mood for a lasting offer.

Ο Χρήστος Τζανουδάκης εικονίζεται μέσα στον κύκλο Source: Supplied

Christos Anastasiadis, who also served as president of the New Zealand Cretan association and has been a close friend of Christos Tzanoudakis for 43 years, spoke of a man full of kindness who volunteered to help all. "Whoever wanted him, he  was there." His friend confesses that 7 years ago, if he had not had the help of Christos Tzanoudakis, he would have either committed suicide or been imprisoned. He could hardly hold back his tears. He never expected his long time mate to die in such a way. He may have been 86-87 years old, he says, but he had no health problems and followed a very healthy lifestyle. He walked a lot, he ate a proper Cretan diet, but above all

He was always proud of his children. My son, my daughter, used to say and inflate his chest with pride

In recent years, Christos Tzanoudakis was  managing to live fine alone. His son Emmanuel lives with his family in the other New Zealand island. Vasiliki his daughter, who had recently travelled from Greece to take her father back to Crete, did not succeed. The coronavirus pandemic overtook their plans. Now she is trapped in New Zealand, while her daughter and her husband are in Crete, where they live permanently.

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He says tt is also sad that family, friends, acquaintances, members of the Cretan association or the Greek community will not be able to attend the funeral of the Christos Tzanoudakis. Speaking on the SBS radio Greek program, Mr. Anastasiadis expressed his desire when the pandemic is over to organize an event in memory of the late victim of the coronavirus in New Zealand, to honor the man Christos Tzanoudakis as he deserves.

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