Our
Dad was a very independent, persevering, determined
and a courageous man. He always had some plan up
his sleeve and did not believe in giving up no matter
how difficult the challenge. He loved being the
leader and even in a queue he strived to be first.
When
were quite young and living in Kenya, we went with
my uncles, aunts and their families to a game park
for a holiday and at the end of the stay we were
the last family to leave and somehow ended up taking
a different route home. The road was unsealed and
as it had been raining there were many pot holes
filled with water. To avoid a large pot hole, Dad
decided to go along the edge of the road where there
was less water however the ground was very muddy
and the car ended being bogged in the mud. Knowing
that this route was infrequently used he decided
to walk back to the main road to flag down help.
He found himself a stick for protection and rubbed
red earth on himself like the Masia do to camouflage
their scent from the wild animals. He later said
that he had passed many animals on the way and that
they had kept their distance. He eventually returned
after many hours with a whole group of German tourists
who towed the car out of the mud, cheered and photographed
the successful rescue. This is one of many events
that show his determination, courage and resourcefulness
to protect and take care of his family which he
continued doing throughout his life.
Dad
loved and truely enjoyed teaching. He fondly remembered
his teaching career in Kenya namely, at the Allidina
Visram High School and as the Headmaster of the Sacred
Heart High School. He enjoyed teaching so much that
he began tutoring young people after he moved to London
and kept abreast of the ever changing school curriculum
by continually learning and teaching himself new subjects.
He always said that teaching young people kept him
young and mentally alert and that his students’
successes gave him a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Dad
enjoyed competitive sport especially athletics and
cricket. He was an accomplished runner in his youth
and funded his University education in Bombay by winning
a number of heats. While he was in Kenya he enjoyed
organising large athletic meets and training the up
and coming runners many of whom ended up competing
and winning in the Olympics.
Dad
loved travelling, visiting family near and far, meeting
and helping people. He was a people’s person
and everywhere he went he met someone he knew or else
he established new friendships. Even on his numerous
travels to Sydney to spend time with his daughter
Sharon and go sightseeing with her, he still found
time to meet up with old friends. Sharon’s extended
family in Australia fondly remember the impressive
speech he made at her wedding which was spoken form
the heart and expressed his deep happiness and joy.
He took great pleasure in organising and celebrating
his son Nigel’s wedding in London and his son
Ashley’s wedding in Goa. While in India he established
new friendships with the extended families of his
two sons. Over the years, Mum has had her work cut
out for her in trying to keep up with Dad and monitor
his many adventures. Each day was new day with new
adventures as he was never one to sit still and lived
life to the full.
Above
all he loved his family especially his new born grandson,
Nathan whom he enjoyed spending time with and spent
many hours singing him songs that he sung to us when
we were young. He always came home bringing us treats
even after we had grown up, he gave us a good education
and did whatever he could to help us establish our
new lives and homes. He was always there for his family
and would go to any length to make them happy; sometimes
he went too far and ended up in trouble. We love him
and are very proud of him and we believe that he will
continue to watch over, guide and protect us and whatever
he could not achieve on earth he will try his utmost
to accomplish it from Heaven.
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