Dionysios Koutsouvelis — 17 December 2025

Les was a remarkable human being with immeasurable depth, passion and integrity who loved to joke and make everyone around him happy. He was a larger-than-life character who impacted on people around him. He was equally strong in both academic and fiction writing and committed till the end to finishing his second book. More so, though, he was committed to his family. He was so proud of and caring for each one and every new addition to his family speaking so fondly of every single one. I met Les 40 years ago at Child Migrant Education Services at Myer House and we became friends ever since. I remember fondly the Thursday nights that wed have Greek lessons at his home. Of course we spent most of the time laughing. When the family moved to Mount Macedon, I remember those phone calls including the laughs. As we both reached retirement those phone calls became longer as the decision was not an easy one to take. And after returning from the professorship in Japan the family moved to Clifton Hill, we had those enjoyable walks and discussions and of course coffees at Cavallinis. Throughout his life Les never stopped inquiring about his relatives from his fathers side from the island of Samos. He was so proud of them, and they were so welcoming and accepting of him when he visited them in Samos . He discovered that he was related to Chrysostomos the Metropolitan Bishop of Smyrna who was declared a Saint. He was so proud of it that he was making enquiries about the life of his relative Saint even days before his passing. Les, I remember you saying that lifes too short. You left us so early, but youve accomplished so many things. You leave behind a beautiful and loving family, so many friends, and of course an academic and writing legacy that you should be extremely proud of. Your passion and understanding of pluralism, your advocacy for the weak and the vulnerable, your understanding of broader social issues made you a complete human being. Your memories will live with us for ever. We are so proud and privileged that you have shared aspects of your life with our family and that we have shared aspects of our lives with you and your family. That way you are now part of our collective memory. Dear friend, you will live in our hearts and memories for ever. From your other family, Rest In Peace Lazaros. Dionysios, Matina and Konstantinos