Abe Almeida, who died on 25th September aged 75, had a distinguished career in the Kenya Civil Service.

Working initially in the P.W.D., where his late father (Olivet Almeida, M.B.E.) also worked, Abe later moved to the Provincial Administration, where he served for many years in the Kiambu District and latterly at the Provincial Headquarters of the Central Province in Nyeri. His pleasing personality and easy manner quickly endeared him to his officers who commended him for his efficiency and integrity. Abe (or Francis as his Administration Officials knew him), later transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture in Nairobi, on promotion as Personnel Officer.

Following Kenya's independence, he rose rapidly within the Service, and in 1965 was transferred back to the Administration, again on promotion as Senior Personnel Officer for the Coast Province - a post he held successfully until it was Africanised in 1967 when he moved to the United Kingdom. Here, he worked initially in the Accounts Department, later rising to Senior Executive Officer at Scotland Yard where he worked until his retirement.

Retirement years were spent in the Voluntary Sector in Thornton Heath, Surrey. Being the kind and gentle individual he always was, Abe was readily available to help those in the community less fortunate than himself - especially widows, whose complex affairs he often helped to disentangle.

Abe came from a large family (4 brothers and 6 sisters), and is survived by a younger brother (Dr. John Almeida), five sisters, and a host of neices and nephews, to all of whom we extend our deepest sympathies.

At the Requiem Mass held in Sydenham on 8th October, and attended by family, friends and several hundred Goans, including a representative from Scotland Yard, glowing tributes were paid to Abe, who had also set up a Charitable Trust for medical research. Those wishing to contribute can send donations to:-

The D'Almeida Charitable Trust (reg. No. 1058480)
Francis Chappell & Sons
41 Sydenham Road
London SE26 5EX

Mervyn Maciel
November 2004