Özgür Özel announces his loss on social media
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced on his social media account the passing of İlyas Kalay, one of the first graduates of the Village Institutes, whom he described as his 'greatest supporter'.
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Özel announced the news of the passing with the following lines, accompanied by two photos taken with İlyas Kalay:
I am deeply saddened by the loss of our very dear elder, Uncle İlyas Kalay, a Republic teacher and one of the first graduates of the Village Institutes, who was my greatest supporter in Salihli, with whom we celebrated his 90th and 95th birthdays, and for whose 100th birthday we had planned a party at the Teachers' House for next year.
We were going to see and celebrate both his 100th birthday and the CHP government together; that was our promise, but he could only hold on until here.
When we come to power after the first elections, I will share this news with him personally at his graveside. My condolences to us all.