Architect who helped found school and social worker fall victim to coronavirus

Heartbreak: Yiannis Pareas

An architect who helped found the UK’s first state-funded Greek Orthodox secondary school and a social worker who was in the hospital where his wife is a nurse are among the latest London victims to die with Covid-19.

Yiannis Pareas, 70, led a group which fought to establish St Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox School in Barnet 10 years ago and, as chair of governors, was thrilled when it was later judged outstanding by Ofsted.

The father-of-three died at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Holborn, on April 20.

The school described him as a “kind and considerate man”, adding: “He was determined that St Andrew’s students should have the opportunity to develop an understanding of what Greece, both modern and classical, has contributed to our civilisation.”

Mr Pareas was born in Cyprus and spent time in Nigeria as a child. He came to London in 1968 to study architecture and ran his own practice, designing commercial and residential buildings. He had been married since 1988 and leaves three daughters.

His wife Marina, 62, said: “He was a wonderful, kind, family man. He was so loved and he was very committed to the school.”

Responding to news of Mr Pareas’s death, first reported by London-based Greek Cypriot news service Parikiaki, Archbishop Nikitas, head of the Greek Orthodox church in Britain, said “When we lose people of such stature, the world becomes a poorer place.”

Heartbreak: Irvin Fantie Moyo also lost his life

Meanwhile, father-of-four Irvin Fantie Moyo, who worked for social services in Tower Hamlets, died in Broomfield hospital, Chelmsford, where his wife Isabelle is a nurse.

The 56-year-old battled the virus for two weeks in intensive care before passing away on May 1.

His brother Chris Moyo, 65, said: “My brother was the most kind and selfless man you could meet. He was proud of his job and of his family. His passing has left a huge vacuum and we are all completely heartbroken.”

Mr Moyo, from Zimbabwe, came to the UK 15 years ago to train as a social worker. He worked for Essex County Council before moving to a job in Tower Hamlets four months ago. He leaves behind a wife and four daughters, the youngest aged seven.

Chris Moyo has set up fundraising online to pay for a funeral next month, adding that when travel was resumed he hoped they would be able to “give Irvin the send-off he deserves”.

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