Gilbert was very active in the Greek American community. He was a founding board member of the original Save Cyprus Council, now the American Hellenic Council (AHC). He was Cyprian League president as well as Hellenic University Club president and board member. He was a long time secretary/treasurer of the Las Vegas AHEPA Chapter #314, having joined AHEPA on October 11, 1994. He attended AHEPA District Conventions and participated in committees like senior housing.
AHC Chairman & President, Dr. James F. Dimitriou stated,
My sincerest sympathies to Gil’S wife, Alexis & family! I had the honor to know Gil for some 44 years! We originally met on the picket line in front of the Turkish Consulate. He will be remembered as a pillar of Hellenism and champion of the destiny of Greece & Cyprus! He was always true to his beliefs and sense of doing the right thing! As an original member of the Save Cyprus Council, he always stood strong for the people of Cyprus. I am proud to have had Gil as my friend and compatriot. Zoi se mas.
Honorary Consul General of Cyprus and founding member of the Save Cyprus Council, Mr. Andreas Kyprianides, added,
I am deeply saddened by the death of Gilbert (Gil) Kyprianou, my close friend for almost fifty years. I got to know him in Los Angeles during the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in the summer of 1974. At that time, the Greek American community in Southern California and throughout the United States, mobilized against the illegal aggression. In support of that small island republic, which was brutally invaded and partly occupied by Turkey in violation of American and international law.
A group of concerned American citizens in Los Angeles founded the Save Cyprus Council of Southern California. Gil and I, were among the founders of the council and both of us served together on its board of directors for several years. Later we worked together for many years on the board of directors of the Hellenic University Club, where, at different times, we both served as presidents of the club. In his later years he moved to Las Vegas, where he lived with his loving wife Alexis until his death. In Las Vegas Gilwas one of the leaders of AHEPA and a strong supporter of our Church.
My long association with Gil and our many years of working closely on community affairs and all Hellenic issues, with emphasis on the Just Cause of Cyprus, gave me the opportunity to know him well. He was gifted with rare human qualities. He was widely known for his high moral character, his integrity, honesty and kindness, and was liked by everyone who knew him.
He served the Greek American community and all Hellenic causes with dedication, commitment and altruism. He had a special love for Cyprus, birthplace of his parents and he was a strong advocate and steadfast supporter of a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem. While he lived in Las Vegas, he used to call me almost every week with a standard first question. “What is new from Cyprus?”
My wife, Mika, and I considered Gil part of our family and our daughter, Alexia, called him “uncle Gil.” We are all going to miss him. He was a virtuous and honorable man. May he rest in peace, may his memory be eternal.
Read full obituary here.
First visit ever to Los Angeles of the Ambassador of Cyprus in Washington DC, organized by the Save Cyprus Council in 1975, From right to left: Gilbert Kyprianou, Andreas Kyprianides, who later became Honorary Consul General of Cyprus for California. Andros Nicolaides (From Cyprus Embassy), Ambassador Nicos Demetriou, Professor Theodore Saloutos and Hon. Consul General of Cyprus from San Francisco, Dr. Anastasios Simonides.
Board of Directors of the Save Cyprus Council for 1975-76. Gil Kyprianou, back row, third from the right.
