How to distinguish a real citizen? It wasn’t his always immaculate tie knot, his politeness, his teasing humor teetering on the edge, but the deep understanding that being born into a family of good order meant more obligations than privileges. Commitment to be worldly, socially sensitive, deal only with the common good, and only offer, not benefit. That is why Stratis Stratigis, who “passed away” yesterday, also resigned from his last responsible position as head of the board of directors. Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games, saying: “I’d rather be a gentleman than a president.” I remember his characteristic voice when he called me in the morning to comment – always with a fabric of education and intelligence – on something he read in “K”, adding in a constant refrain: “Let’s have lunch, my child, let’s talk when it’s convenient for us “.

Born in 1933 at the Luru Clinic in Cine, with a grandfather who came to the capital from Arcadia, permanently residing in the Kolonaki and Plaka regions, he was an all-round observer of urban life from childhood, because these were simply his own experiences. Without a drop of arrogance, he understood the different principles and aspirations of the people of his environment, their views on the country, which was passing from one turn to another: the occupation, the civil war, the turbulent 60s, the seven years, the role of the Palace, the transition that led him into politics before reaching the Olympic Games. The recording of his views in a book called “Astigraphia” (Papadopoulos’ publications) enriches Greek historiography with evidence and, above all, with a point of view that was missing, crushed by the weight of the mainstream leftist narrative.

Through the pages of this enchantingly written biographical archive, Stratigis relives the urban universe of Kolonaki from his classmates and neighbors, remembers the school of Makris, where another citizen, Christos Lambrakis, also studied.

He talks about his legal studies in Basel, Switzerland and also in London, about his close relationship with the successor and then holder of the throne Constantine, about meeting his wife Eleni Theodorakopoulou, who gave him her daughter Despoina, a term in the navy, many years of justice, his participation as an MP in Karamanlis’ efforts to contribute to the country after seven years. He held many responsible positions and always acted in the public interest. He “left” his home in a dream, with Despina, her husband Kostas, and his granddaughters, Ioanna and Eleni, at his side. His funeral will be held in a close family circle in the coming days.