British sisters’ search for Cypriot father comes too late
An appeal, by sisters Charlotte and Natalie Innes, for help in locating their Cypriot-born father 50 years after he disappeared, unfortunately, came a little too late as it appears he passed away in February.
Following the article on the two sisters and their quest to find their father by Phileleftheros on Saturday, it was discovered that their father, Andreas Nicolaou had died after a short illness in Larnaca in February.
Nicolaou’s photograph published along with the article on Saturday led to him being recognised by many of his fellow villagers from Limnia in the Famagusta district and family members.
Andreas Nicolaou was born in 1940, was a talented football player playing for his local team while veteran Nea Salamina players fondly remember him as ‘Lisso’.
In England he played for KLN in the early 60’s and later was involved with Leyton FC in the KOPA League. Hes seen in the photo below with second from right with grey hair.
He was buried on February 13, in the new Larnaca cemetery in Tersefanou.
In an effort to help locating the missing father, Parikiaki contacted Natalie who agreed to give an interview later this month. She only got back to us a couple of hours later to say that the two sisters are “heartbroken” as they had just been informed that their father passed away seven months ago.
The Innes sisters say their father – only known as Andreas to them, and who lived with his family in central London during the sixties – was never seen again after he was forced to return to Cyprus for his national service.
Their mother, Pauline Innes, then suffered a breakdown and put her two children into care.
Natalie, 53, said that after three years the two girls were taken out of care by their mother when her mental health improved. She settled down with another man, who for most of their lives they thought was their father.
She discovered what her real father looked like only after her adoptive father showed her a photo found in her mother’s belongings after her death.
