NEW YORK. – Savvas Christodoulides suffered a heart attack on the afternoon of December 3 while exercising at his home in Hillsboro, New Jersey. When his children arrived he was already unconscious and despite their efforts to resuscitate him, he passed away.

The premature death of the 51 year-old plunged into mourning his wife Maria, his children Katherine, Yannis and twins Phivos and Panayiotis, his brother Nikos Christodoulides, his sister and nephews and all of his other relatives here and in Cyprus.

Arrangements for his funeral have not been made yet, as the family is expecting his brother’s arrival from Cyprus.

The President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades in his written statement mentions: “I am shocked to hear the news of the unexpected death of Savvas Christodoulides in the USA where he lived permanently, the brother of the Government Spokesman and close associate of mine Nikos Christodoulides.

“I want to express my deepest sorrow and my sincerest condolences as much to the family of the deceased as to the family of Nikos Christodoulides,” Anastasiades said.

The deceased was an IT Engineer who earned his PhD from the New York Polytechnic School and he had worked for major companies, among which were Goldman Sachs and his most recent employer, AIG.

The President of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and Philadelphia, Michael Hadjiloucas, one the closest friends of the deceased, speaking to TNH he expressed his sorrow over his premature death and declared, among other things, “Maria lost her beloved husband, the children their father who did all best for them, the siblings lost a compassionate brother, his nephews lost their uncle. We lost an exceptional friend and New Jersey lost a much promising computer scientist and executive, while the Pampaphian Association of America, lost one of its most prominent members and officers.”

“Savvas was virtuous, magnanimous, generous, noble, and a gentleman. He distinguished himself with his rare character, his love for his fellow man, and his philanthropy. He was always present and in fact, he spearheaded the efforts  of Greek and Cypriot Americans for the Cyprus cause and other national issues,” added Michael Hadjiloucas.

Both the former and current president of the Pampaphian Association of America Nikos Tziazas and George Sophocleus, respectively, speaking to TNH, expressed their deepest sorrow over the death of their compatriot and friend.

They also pointed out that during its recent annual dance the Pampaphian Association of America honored Nikos Christodulides, who dedicated the award to his brother Savvas, whom he said stood by him much more than any brother during the time his studies in New York.