Miltiadis KITANIDIS

I first met Miltos in 1971 when I was working for the Onassis group in Monte Carlo, and he was transferred there from the office in Piraeus. He introduced himself as Mak, his initials, as most of us couldn't get the hang of all the Greek names that were suddenly thrust upon us. He was a great guy to work with, full of good humour, and fond of practical jokes. One evening I couldn't find my coat, eventually saw it hanging from the very high ceiling, had to go home without it, as I was the last to leave and couldn't reach it. Another time I arrived in the morning to find my desk covered with 'splat' stickers proclaiming that Jonathan Livingston Seagull was here - and here - and here - and here. They stayed until I left the office years later.

I referred to Miltos as My Dear Greek Friend, he called me The Bastard. One evening my brother, my ex and myself were invited to the studio he was renting at the time with his girlfriend Catherine, on the sea front at Carnolès. At that time there were bicycles to be rented opposite, so after dinner the guys set off on a triplet bike, while we girls followed on a side-by-side Rosalie (with a fringe on top) bike. I have a mental image of the guys: my brother in front, quite slim, my ex in the middle, slightly taller and slightly chubbier, and Miltos at the back, even taller and even chubbier, hilarious. In spite of trawling the photo albums (yes, in those distant days there were no mobile phones, we had cameras with films that had to be developed) I can find no trace, so the image will have to remain indelibly in my mind. Subsequently when Miltos moved to Monaco I took over the studio, and was very grateful to him for a long time, because for some unknown reason the rent didn't go up for over 20 years! He was quite envious, would probably have kept it if he'd known (another reason to call me The Bastard). When he left Monaco we kept in touch. I have very fond memories of him, a lovely man, he will be sorely missed.
Sincere condolences to all the family.

Chers Alexandre, Ismini et Françoise,

Je pense très fort à vous et vous adresse tout mon soutien en ces jours difficiles.

Je garde un très beau souvenir de Milto, notamment à Biarritz et à Corfou. Je me souviens avec tendresse de ses longues conversations avec ma grand-mère Eliane. Ils pouvaient passer des heures à parler de cuisine, échanger des recettes. Et elle me disait souvent : « Il faut que Milto me donne d’autres recettes de cuisine grecque ! »

Aujourd’hui, j’aime croire qu’ils se sont retrouvés là-haut et qu’ils continuent leurs échanges paisibles, souriants veillant sur nous.

Je prie pour lui, dans l’espérance qu’il repose dans la paix et la lumière.

Avec toute mon affection,
Thibault