Tributes paid to one of 'Tottenham’s finest gentlemen' (From Haringey Independent)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news & views by texting HARINGEY to 80360, or email us
Tributes paid to one of 'Tottenham’s finest gentlemen' Adam Stavrou
3:59pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain
Adam Stavrou has been described as kind hearted and community-minded
Tributes have been paid to a shopkeeper and businessman described as "one of Tottenham’s finest gentlemen".
Adam Stavrou, who died last month at the age of 75, ran a number of businesses in Seven Sisters Road including a video rental shop, fish and chip shop and clothing factory.
His goddaughter Toni Neufville said: “He was such a kind hearted man and he always knew how to make you laugh.
“So many people knew him. People have said he was one of Tottenham’s finest gentlemen.
“He would go out of his way to help you and he was really respected by the community. A lot of people have been in touch paying their respects.”
Mr Stavrou came to the UK from Cyprus in 1949 and settled with his wife in Tottenham where he started his small business empire around Seven Sisters.
Business partner Tony Neufville, who ran the video store with him, said: “He was a man well known and loved in the community, full of charisma and charm. If you were worried or stressed he would help you.
“Sometimes in the shop people would come in and gasp mistaking him for film star Bud Spencer.”
Just over three weeks ago Mr Stavrou complained of a stomach ache and it was found he had cancer. He passed away last week surrounded by his family in hospital.
His son Haralambous said: “It was a huge shock to all the family and since I have been back home helping my mother, people have been at the door in their droves paying their respects.
“The response has been amazing and it just shows he really touched people in the community from all different backgrounds.
“He was all about the helping people. He loved the Seven Sisters area and he was very community-minded.
“He would always help people out whether helping them get a job at one of his businesses or just getting shopping.”
Mr Stavrou leaves behind his wife Panayiota, his six children Helen, Kim, Steven, Hamboula, Haralambos and Mario and 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
