Suddenly passed away at the age of 69 the journalist Panagiotis Theodorakopoulos, who had worked at ERT for 32 years as a correspondent from Patras and also at the newspapers TA NEA and TO VIMA, plunging the entire journalism community and the local society into mourning.
The mayor of Patras, Kostas Peletidis, expressed his deep sorrow for the untimely loss of the journalist: “We bid farewell to our friend Takis Theodorakopoulos, the journalist who served with ethics, passion, and integrity in the field of information, always respecting ethics. Takis was present in social claims and highlighted issues of the region approaching them with a high level of reflection and with the intention to bring about developments for the improvement of our place. He leaves behind a strong mark as a journalist and as a person. Sincere condolences to his family, to his loved ones, as well as to the journalism community of the city,” he mentioned in his condolence statement.
The local site pelop.gr reports that Panagiotis Theodorakopoulos was found dead last night in his home by his relatives who became worried when he did not answer their calls.
According to the same source, he was found dead in the bed of his home. Recently, he had been experiencing health problems.
Condolence statement from ESIHEPIN and TEAS
In a joint announcement issued by the boards of directors of the Union of Daily Newspaper Journalists of Peloponnese, Epirus, and Islands and the Fund for Supplementary Insurance of Journalists regarding his death, the following is mentioned:
“With feelings of sorrow, the journalistic family of ESIHEPIN and TEAS bid farewell to the last resting place of the distinguished, beloved colleague, a dedicated reporter for many years in electronic and print media, Takis Theodorakopoulos.
“The deceased was one of the journalists who struggled daily on a 24-hour basis for the timely and reliable information of the public. He had a fruitful and constructive tenure both at ERT as a correspondent in television and radio, as well as at the Lambrakis journalism organization, as a correspondent at VIMA and TA NEA.
“Takis Theodorakopoulos started his journalistic career from ERT3 in Thessaloniki, where he studied economics. Later, he came to Patras and became part of the newly established (1980s – 1990s) studio of Western Greece television.
“At the same time, he also worked at the Patras radio station of ERA.
“The deceased was particularly beloved by his colleagues with active participation in ESIHEPIN events. His colleagues had honored him with their votes and had previously elected him as a member of the administration of POESY.
“As a fighting journalist, the beloved colleague literally lived with the anxiety to transmit the news and describe the events as he experienced them. That is why he ‘left’ standing on the front lines on Friday night, after having communicated by phone with his colleagues a few hours earlier to find out if something was happening.
“Takis was particularly beloved in the local community and sports circles, as he was an athlete in athletics, a long-distance runner, a champion of Panachaiki.”