The last journey of Apostolis

With great sadness and a big sense of loss we laid to rest today, Mr. Apostolis Kosifis, who was an anchor on Skopelos for many, many people.

Apostolis was known because of his work as a travel agent. He had a boat ticket office opposite the harbor for many, many years.

Who hasn’t received help from him, before, during or after traveling with a boat. No boat ticket available ? but he put you on that boat, no room for a car ? but that car travelled to its destination, luggage lost, he found it.

Apostolis was not a man of yes and no. He was a, probably, maybe and there is a good chance. He thought there was always a solution and he would share that information with you.

Many people worked for Apostolis and they became friends and have been with him for ages. Only with regret you stop working for him and you leave his office.

Many years ago he also was a tour operator. And again many people passed by his office. Elli was one of them. She was a rep for Attica Reisen and started working in the office of Apostolis. This describes, her and her husband Max’s, friendship with him.

(Elli, Max and Apostolis)

One for the road…. Our dear friend Apostoli
We lost a very good soul.
Whenever we arrived on Skopelos, we first went to his office to greet him and it was as if we were coming home.
We met Apostolis for the first time in 1999 in his office in the old harbour where Elli worked in his office at that time.
He told her that she will learn a lot in Greece. It was more than a lot.
Even when it was very stressful in the high season he never lost his great sense of humour. He was always friendly and solid as a rock.
In the following years, in which we met regularly on Skopelos, a wonderful friendship developed.
We remember his amazing quotes like “Everything is under Control“ or “Finito La Musica – Passato La Festa“.“One for the road and one for the asphalt road and after that one for the dusty road!“ That was what he said, when we couldn’t end a marvelous evening we had spent together.

What will it be like when we arrive next year on Skopelos and go to his office?
We are very sad, we have tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts.
Our thoughts are with his beloved ones; Maya and his children Angeliki and Vangelis. Apostoli we will miss you and we will drink „one for the road“ remembering what a great person you were. We are grateful to have had the privilege of knowing you.
Goodbye, our dear friend. We already miss you infinitely. Now the party is over. “Finito La Musica Passato La Festa!“
Elli & Max

My first job on the island was in Apostolis his office. I think it was 1998. I was also a rep but for Hotelplan, a Dutch travel organization. I met Elli there and until today we keep in contact. Apostolis taught me the ropes in tourism, he introduced me to the people I had to work with and through him I got credit, they helped me because Apostolis vouched for me. He had my back. What a start for a stranger on a small Greek island. I never met a more kinder boss. I made mistakes but he never got mad. When I became pregnant and had to start work again with a very small child he allowed me to take my three month old daughter to the office so I could feed her. After that she slept in a office chair because she was still so small. Ηe called her, up to this day, (rose) bud/ μπουμπουκι. Years later when I went to work somewhere else he gave me a bonus. I still have that bank transfer paper.

A boulder in the harbor is gone. The harbor is not the same anymore. Apostolis will not walk up to the incoming ferryboat. Apostolis is gone. Our thoughts are with Maya, Vangelis and Angeliki and all those that loved him.