Former chairman of the Cyprus Federation of America and PSEKA, Haris Theophanous, has passed away, at Palm Harbour Florida. He was 83.
Theophanous was born in Kyrenia in 1932 and his family emigrated to the US in 1946. He joined the US Airforce and from 1952-1955 he served at the National Guard airforce.
His involvement with Cyprus in the affairs of overseas Cypriots and the Greek American community began during the liberation struggle against Britain, in the mid 1950s, and were intensified after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of his hometown Kyrenia.
He participated in demonstrations and other mobilizations on Cyprus in the US and was a personal friend of the late presidents of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III and Spyros Kyprianou. He became president of the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) between 1982-1986 and the Cyprus Federation of America from 1982-1985.
His participation in Cypriot organisations and efforts to promote the Cyprus issue in the US continued even after relocating to Florida in 1989.
In a statement, PSEKA chairman Philip Christopher, praised Theophanous` patriotism and dedication in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.