Distinguished pediatric hematologist Prof. Dr. Ömer Devecioğlu laid to rest in Gümülcine
Prof. Dr. Ömer Devecioğlu, one of the leading figures in pediatric hematology and oncology, was laid to rest in his hometown of Gümülcine on Thursday following a funeral attended by family, colleagues, public officials and members of the Western Thrace Turkish community.
Following the afternoon funeral prayer at Yenicemahalle Mosque, a memorial ceremony was held at his family home in the Yenicemahalle neighborhood.
Speaking at the ceremony, former Member of Parliament Galip Galip described Prof. Dr. Devecioğlu as one of the most distinguished scientists to emerge from Western Thrace, saying his sudden passing had left the community in deep sorrow. He also highlighted Devecioğlu’s respected standing within the medical profession and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.
Among those attending the funeral were Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Deputy Regional Governor Rıdvan Molla İsa, Gümülcine Deputy Mayor Mesut Mehmet, Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association President Zeynep Tevfikoğlu, Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Association President Aydın Ahmet, Friendship, Equality and Peace (DEB) Party Honorary President Işık Sadık Ahmet, BAKES President Hüseyin Bostancı, and former Members of Parliament Galip Galip, Mustafa Mustafa and Ahmet Hacıosman.
Numerous colleagues and friends from İstanbul also traveled to Gümülcine to pay their final respects. Despite the hot weather, relatives, neighbors, childhood friends and many members of the Western Thrace Turkish community gathered in large numbers to attend the funeral.
Prayers were offered during the well-attended ceremony before Prof. Dr. Devecioğlu was buried at the Gümülcine Yenicemahalle Cemetery.
Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Devecioğlu made significant contributions to pediatric medicine and earned widespread respect for both his scientific achievements and the generations of physicians he mentored. His passing has been met with profound sorrow among his family, colleagues and the wider communities of Western Thrace and Türkiye.
