Tributes paid to hugely respected Chichester figure

Adam Papadamou, a familiar face in the community and owner of fish and chip shop La Fish, has died aged 69.

Adam, who had been running the shop in The Hornet for the past 39 years, passed away at 12.30am on Monday after being diagnosed with stomach cancer last year.

He leaves behind his wife Elizabeth and his four children Emi, Yoddi, Harrie and Zinon.

A post on the shop’s Facebook page announcing his death saw hundreds of people offering their condolences and sharing stories about Adam, with many describing his limitless kindness and generosity.

Adam’s son Yoddi Papadamou said: “It’s devastating and heartbreaking and the outpouring of grief that has been shown is something that we can’t get our heads around.

“We know our dad and what he was about but seeing it to that extent, you can never quantify it.

“La Fish has been a one-stop shop for everything other than fish and chips.

“People would come in and talk to him about any problems they had.

“From what I remember as a child, he has always worked with a few charities but even off his own back just giving food to the homeless – that was a big part of what he did.

“He loved Chichester, the people and the community, he embraced everyone and there was not one person he wouldn’t talk to – he used fish and chips as a tool. He was never motivated by money. He was motivated by people.

“There are not many people in life that get to meet someone like him and we were all fortunate enough to call him dad and we are very thankful for that.”

In the days following Adam’s death a number of Chichester residents have been placing bunches of flowers outside the shop in his memory.

Adam came to the UK from Cyprus in 1973 to study but when war broke out in the country, his father was unable to support him financially and so he began his journey into fish and chips, meeting Elizabeth in 1977 and setting up their own shop.

Yoddi added: “We will continue to honour his legacy at the shop moving forward.

“It will be hard because we will never find anyone like our dad but we will endeavour to do our best.”

Donna Ockenden, who founded the Four Streets Project homeless charity, which Adam regularly donated hot meals to, said: "At this sad time our thoughts are with Adam's family.

"In the early days of the and throughout the pandemic Adam's support in providing hot meals to hungry and homeless people was hugely appreciated.

"Adam's passing is a huge loss to the city of Chichester."

A funeral service will be held on December 2 and the Papadamou family will be sharing a weblink for anyone who wishes to pay their respects virtually.

A memorial service is also being planned for 2021.