Klaus Jurgens

LAST week Didim’s international and Turkish communities came together to bid their final farewell to Kevin Mugford, a much loved and highly respected local personality who had suddenly passed away at his house

Mr Mugford, 59, lived at Royal Blue Residences on the Mavisehir to Sagtur road.

His friends and acquaintances had been invited to leave comments in two Books of Condolences made available on the day of his funeral which was held on Monday August 11.

Whereas the funeral at Didim Cemetery had been attended by over fifty mourners Didim’s recently elected mayor Deniz Atabay in a much appreciated gesture had arranged for a funeral bouquet, too.

Those who knew Kevin best very eloquently and, with all their sympathy, expressed their feelings on the day. From my humble position as someone who had had the absolute pleasure to having met Kevin initially almost a decade ago I only wish to add two things.

First, together with his friend Jimmy Kevin was the first expatriate my daughter Melisa-Michelle had ever met here in town. I was so happy both for her and myself. Not only this, he immediately bought her an ice-cream. I shall never forget that nice idea.

Second, in particular during winters, we often saw each other in Cakir Göz Restauırant down by the Mavisehir waterfront. As Kevin was a man of literature quoting from author Graham Greene seems appropriate.

He said in his book The Human Factor, English people who are not family yet know each other at most acknowledge someone else on nodding terms when passing each other at the local train station.

Not so Kevin: we spoke, and every time we met shook hands. Not family but most definitely close acquaintances in so far as we both shared our town, cafés, life’s abroad. It made one feel warm, comfortable to know Kevin sat at a table near you, more often than not with a book in hand; he simply loved a good read.

Mavisehir has lost a true legend.