Takis (Chris) Harmanda the founder of London Greek Radio sadly passes away
Takis sadly passed away on Friday March 2nd 2018 at the age of 59 and leaves behind his wife Katia David Harmanda MBE and daughters Loukia and Eleni and son in law Mario. His father George his two sisters Maroulla and Eva and brother Tony.
Takis was born in the village of Acheritou in Cyprus 12th January 1959, the son of George and Loukia Harmanda from Acheritou and Styllous respectively. Taki was the second oldest in a family of four two sisters Maroulla and Eva and brother Tony. His mother Loukia died in 1981 at the age of 45.
Takis came to the UK in 1967 at the age of eight and lived and grew up in Finsbury Park where he went to Montem primary school then Holloway Secondary and at this period in time he was on hand to help in the family fish and chip shop the Quality fish bar in Finsbury Park that remains in the same hand today. Years later he attended Dean College and obtained a BSc in marketing.
In 1983 Takis approached a customer of his who was involved in afro Caribbean stations and told him to open up a Greek Radio Station. He insisted until Akis agreed to start playing some Greek records on his pirate station and the response from the community was phenomenal. With this instant success in mind Takis then funded and started the Pirate Greek Station from above the Fish and chip Shop with him and Takis named it LGR. They had their own frequency on FM and the then 24 year old Takis became the Golden boy of our community. The low-key Takis was the backbone of LGR. He spent endless nights on roofs in high rise buildings every time they were raided by the Home Office so that the community woke up every morning to LGR. Takis was proud of his baby LGR and he spent 24 years dedicated to the Station that he loved. Takis was a team player and this was the reason he allowed other people to join the station. He always said “LGR is for the community so shareholders should be allowed to join our team” LGR was legalised in 1989 and Takis played a major role in achieving the licence.
It was in the early stages of his radio career when he met the love of his life his wife Katia David whose father was from Ayios Andronicos Karpasias in Cyprus and Mother is from Greece. Katia was one of the main voices at LGR for 24 years. Takis was devoted to Katia and their daughters Loukia and Eleni. He was a family man who cared deeply for his family , his koumparous, his friends and the community. You only needed to meet this generous and big-hearted man once to realise that this man was unique.
Takis was a very successful business man in his own right. He owned and was a partner in various businesses in our community the main being Home and Away Estates in Finchley Central and Cockfosters. Takis and Katia have been involved in endless charities helping and assisting people for many years. For this reason his family and close friends have founded “ The Chris Harmanda Foundation “ so that his memory can stay alive and people can continue to benefit from his charity. The foundation’s only goal will be to “help less fortunate families during illness” Whilst the foundation is being finalised, a temporary page has been set up https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Chris-Harmanda
Thank you Taki for being the founder of London Greek Radio that gave music and a voice to our community. Your Legacy will live on forever.
His funeral will take place on Saturday March the 17th 2018 at 11.00am at St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 21 Trinity Road, Wood Green, London N22 8LB followed by the burial at New Southgate Cemetery, Brunswick Park Road, London N11 1JJ.
Parikiaki Newspaper would like to extend their condolences to his family