How difficult it is indeed to write, in a few paragraphs about the adventures of a lifetime! Especially a lifetime so rich and full, as was Tasos Galanis’.
Tasos was born in Vloho of Karditsa in 1953.
At age 14, he left high school and enrolled as an apprentice mechanic for army vehicles at the relevant Technical School in Athens.
His teenage years were very difficult. While other kids of similar age were out, partying and living life to the full, Tasos had no time for frivolities. He was working during the day and going to school at night. His dream was to get some education.
At 17 he had to abandon his dream of becoming a police officer and follow his father to Australia.
From day one he started working as a cutter in South Melbourne, or a worker at General Motors in Clayton, and later became the owner of a fast food shop in Lygon Street, Carlton, a Fish&Chips shop in Brunswick and a chargrilled chicken shop in Northcote.
At the same time he kept busy with what made him happy, his music. He DJ’ed at almost every event in Melbourne.
For the last 13 years he was a member of the Greek Media Group family, where he met his “twin”, Angelis Calodoucas. Every Saturday morning they would present the Professional Guide amid good cheer and jokes that would lift the heaviest of moods in their listeners. Together they would broadcast events of the community from several festivals.
However, anyone who leaves this Earth for Heaven is remembered by what they leave behind. Tasos Galanis’s greatest achievement was his family. His wife Rita is a remarkable woman who sealed his destiny.
He loved her with all his heart. He met her a few months after he arrived in Australia through a friend of his and they got married the same year. At age 20 he became a father and went on to have two more children. At 42.5 he was a proud grandfather for the first time and many more grandchildren followed.
With such loving family surrounding him, it is no wonder that Tasos was the happy, jovial person we all came to know and love.
Rest in peace, dear friend. You will be missed by all.
