Farewell to popular expat blogger, 82
A BRITISH expat who made a name for himself around the world by providing invaluable advice about life in North Cyprus was laid to rest at Lapta International Cemetery on Wednesday.
Frank Gillin, who was known for running the “FrankAndJoan” blog with wife Joan Gillin, passed away on June 4, aged 82.
Mrs Gillin told Cyprus Today that her husband had a number of health issues and had spent a lot of time in hospital recently. She said he had a heart attack and could not be saved.
Only a limited number of people were allowed to attend the funeral due to Covid19 measures, although hundreds of others were able to watch the service on the North Cyprus Funeral Streaming Facebook page.
British Residents Society (BRS) chairman Peter Wilkins paid tribute to Mr Gillin, a life member of the BRS.
“It is a shame only 20 people were allowed [to attend the funeral],” he said. “Many, many people knew [him]. . . However the funeral was streamed live on Facebook and the link was sent in an email to every [BRS] member to enable an awful lot of people find comfort from being able to watch it.”
Mr Wilkins said that the Gillins have been “a very helpful couple” and been able to “support a lot of people”.
In a message to BRS members, Mr Wilkins said: “Frank was . . . a man of great integrity who I had the good fortune to meet and work with. He will be sadly missed, especially by his wife Joan.”
Mourners were told not to wear black and to make donations to the Help Those with Cancer Association (Tulips) instead of floral tributes.
After coming to Cyprus on July 17, 2002, the Gillins set up a diary website that provided information for people travelling to North Cyprus, from their Lapta house built on land that they had bought.
The blog provided “step by step guidance” on topics such as how to obtain a driving licence and other matters.
“I always read Frank and Joans website with interest” one reader wrote in 2008. “I too always read Frank and Joans website and enjoy what he has to say,” another added.
Mrs Gillin told this paper: “We helped with fixing their [expats’] properties up, where to get the right goods, furniture and carpeting.
“We just loved helping people, we would meet up with them. We made a lot of friends.
“He was loved in a lot of places all over the world, especially in Holland. This morning I received emails saying ‘we will miss grandfather’.
“He loved to go out and party. Cyprus Today did a fantastic article on his 80th birthday party on the beach . . . we would sometimes get four pages of coverage in the magazine section, everybody used to be after him.
“He was all I had, it was just the two of us and now it’s just me.”
In April 2004, before Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots voted on the “Annan Plan”, Mr Gillin spoke to the Daily Telegraph about the potential impact the plan could have on Britons who had bought property in the TRNC.
“Our land was barren before we built on it, so we’ve added far more value. And there are thousands like us – Germans, Israelis, even some Russians who have bought in the north,” Mr Gillin was quoted as saying.
As well as the blog, Mr Gillin served as a treasurer for St Andrew’s Church in Girne and worked as an auditor for the BRS.
St Andrew’s Church honoured Mr Gillin in the June edition of their magazine, saying they were “saddened” by the “sudden news” of his death.
“Both Frank and his wife Joan had been members of the St Andrew’s congregation for many years, giving their loyal support in a variety of ways. Frank had been a member of council and had also served as treasurer, which we thank God for.
“May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Our prayers and love go out to Joan at this so difficult time.”