The Australian Cypriot and Greek Community was shocked by the recent death of Eric Charalambous, who suddenly passed away at the age of 53 from kidney and liver disease.
Unfortunately, this is the second death which the Charalambous family has had to endure in the last eight months.
Last October, his wife Vicky Charalambous passed away at 48 years of age after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Eric was born in Nicosia, Cyprus and came to Australia in 1975 Vicky was born in Sparta, Greece and came to Australia in 1971 they married in 2002.
Eric had his own company for sheepskin covers and Vicky worked for over twenty years at Telstra an Australian telecommunications company.
Mr and Mrs Charalambous are survived by their three children; 17-year-old Angelique, 13-year-old Connor and 11-year-old Riahna.
Eric leaves his two sisters Penny and Xenia behind, his parents passed away in Australia 15 years ago, Father Costa first from heart attack and then his mother Antigone six weeks later from cancer.
Vicky left her sister Susie and her brother Theo and her parents Irene and Nick.
Vicky Charalambous’ sister Susie Angelakos has stepped in to take care of her nieces and nephew.
“We must try to continue on with our lives, especially for the children who are with me and that is non-negotiable. I’ve held them close by for the last six months,”.
Ms Angelakos’ parents, relatives and friends have gathered around her and the children, offering support both emotionally and practically as she works full time to be able to help meet the needs of the family.
“We have a very strong support network and I am grateful because without the help of everyone and especially my parents I could not do it,” she said.
Ms Angelakos launched a fundraiser to help secure the futures of her nieces and nephew through a GoFundMe campaign.
The initial response from members of the community, known and unknown to the family has been overwhelming.
“There are no words to thank you for your donations. Angelique, Connor and Riahna feel so excited about all this and would like to say “thank you” to all of you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ms Angelakos writes.
If you would like contribute to their future, you can donate at https://gf.me/u/yfq8sc or directly into the bank account set up for the children:
Account name: Charalambous
BSB: 033149
Account No: 555144
