Tributes paid to Ian Smith, the ‘1st British estate agent in the TRNC’

TRIBUTES have been paid to the “first British estate agent in the TRNC”, Ian Smith (pictured), who died in the UK on Tuesday, June 1, aged 75.

Mr Smith was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000, Kate Özikiz, his daughter and director of Ian Smith Estate Agency in Karaoğlanoğlu, told Cyprus Today.

That year Mrs Özikiz and husband Osman joined the family business “to help him and he gradually got worse”.

“In 1985 he came to Cyprus on a government contract to build pre-fabricated houses when he was about 40 and he fell in love with the island and asked my mum if we could move here,”

Mrs Özikiz said.

During his time in North Cyprus, Mr Smith established the estate agency in 1986-87 with a Turkish Cypriot partner, renovated a Greek Cypriot church in Edremit, “restored the Round Tower on Girne high street”, and founded a restaurant named Duckworth House in Karmi with chef wife Linda Mary Smith.

The restored tower was turned into an art and crafts gift shop that Mrs Smith ran and now “remains with the family”.

“He renovated a lot of old properties,” Mrs Özikiz said.

“He loved doing these things. He was a true entrepreneur and never once complained about his illness, which lasted over 20 years.

“We have been blown away by over 250 comments on Facebook and other private messages and would like to thank everyone who contacted us.”Mr Smith, who spent the last few years of his life in the UK, will be cremated and a funeral will be held in the UK towards the end of June at a date to be determined.

Some of his ashes will be brought to North Cyprus, where a memorial service will be held.

Mrs Özikiz shared messages of condolences that she had received.

Richard and Linzi Parkinson wrote about their “great sadness” at Mr Smith’s death: “As you know we held him in the very highest regard. He was a clever man, quick to see a deal and keen to negotiate (always with a glint in his eye). Most importantly to us he was always honourable and trustworthy in his dealings. He was brave in the face of a long illness which would have seen lesser men off. He will be sadly missed by us and many others I am sure.”

A message from close friends of the family said: “It was with deep sadness that we heard that Ian had died. We can barely begin to imagine your sense of loss and yet in quiet moments there must be a feeling of calm relief that he no longer has to suffer.”

Another message, addressed to Mrs Smith, read: “Linda, Ian was a lovely man, loved and respected by so many, not least his family. It was a cruel act of fate that caused him to suffer his devastating condition for so long. It was heart-breakingly unfair!

“We know you were a pillar of strength and we all admired your courage so much. There must have been times when you were near despair but you could always put on a brave face to the world and Ian could not have had more loving care and attention over the years. You have been a shining example to us all.

“Your loss would always have been great, but perhaps even more so because of the years of dedicated care and your own personal sacrifices so willingly made.”

Jenny and Rob Vardy wrote: “Linda, we send you and the family our sincere condolences on your sad loss and our warmest love to you and do so hope, in the fullness of time, we shall see you back here in Cyprus.”

Mr Smith is also survived by two sons, Charlie and Chris. Charlie Smith is a marine operations manager on Larry Pages’s “Google” island in the Caribbean, and Chris Smith is a pilot in the UK.