North of Kefalonia

Trade union stalwart Arthur North has died aged 85.

THE name Arthur North will forever be associated with someone who always did what was right and fair.

But few will remember the dedicated union official by his real name.

Stelios Xionis, born on the Greek island of Kefalonia, had a difficult early life. He thought he had four or five brothers and sisters, but he couldn’t be certain because they all died so young.

His father Athenasios was only 30 when he died. And just three years later when Stelios was six his 30-year-old mother also died.

His uncle Spiros, who ran a ship’s chandler’s in Cardiff took him to live with him.

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