Alaric in Zanzibar 2005 - Sweet Memories

Photographs by Benny de Souza

Please check Photo Gallery link.

Benny conveys 'Special Thanks' to all mentioned below.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ THANK YOU MESSAGE

Dear Friends & Relatives

The loss of my uncle Alaric still hurts and hard to digest. For several months Alaric has not kept in touch with  me and other family members making it hard to understand why, until now, to learn Alaric was very poor healthwise.

I first of all wish to thank all Alaric's friends who have sent their condolence messages via our St. Joseph's Convent Zanzibar website. This is greatly appreciated and also wish to thank all my personal friends for their condolence messages sent via my private email and some on voice mail.

Many would like to ask what exactly happened Alaric. Some several months ago Alaric visited Zanzibar and it was than, some good friends alerted us that Alaric was looking very weak and could hardly walk. He had a fall in Goa which apparently got worse affecting one of his legs.

Our contact was always via email but over the several months, I never heard from him and even though my sisters communicated with Alaric via Skype, this also stopped and no more contact. Not for a moment did we realise he was experiencing bad health, but his cousin Victor, his household main and good taxi driver were always around to assist him. They never kept us advised of Alaric's problems.

Just over a week ago, knowing Astrid, Leo and family were in Goa, I emailed Oliver Fernandes and asked Oliver to kindly get in touch with Astrid and ask her if she could go and check out Alaric as I knew she always kept in touch with Alaric and often visited him in the past whilst in Goa.

I will copy some of the correspondence released by Astrid below for those who may be interested to learn more what exactly happened to dear uncle Alaric. Sad but read some brief postings if you have time.

At the end of the communication between Astrid, my sister and myself, please read my personal 'Thank You' all for your kind condolence messages which many were very touching and so pleasing to see how many friends Alaric had.

A few words from me to all Alaric's friends who knew him well.

Great memories never forgotten. When Alaric and myself were very young, still at school, I often spent the weekends at my grandparents home (Alaric's family) where we played all day long with many exciting electric toys from electric trains, speed cars, mega mecano sets, pedal scooters, roller skates and many other superb toys one would never see in any of the local shops. Alaric always shared all his toys with me so freely and was never selfish. As we grew older, a great toy shop selling electric toys opened close to our school and the solid sports cars were really expensive but some how Alaric would buy one for himself and one for me. His kindness in sharing all he had was next to none and this followed right through the rest of his life.

When Alaric retired, he decided to go to Zanzibar making that his home again but for some unknown reason he was never too happy always telling me Zanzibar was too hot. He later made a trip to Goa which soon became seventh heaven for him and decided that was going to be his home. He bought a lovely flat well furnished with all the mods and cons and kept enjoying a healthy friendly lifestyle with many new friends he made and he would always welcome anyone visiting Goa. In fact when Betty & I first went to Goa, Alaric welcomed us and insisted we stay at his what he called a 5Star flat where he had an on-suite for us two. It was our first trip to Goa which was with Fr. Richard De Lord. We were most welcome and in fact our plans was to stay at an hotel after a couple of days with Alaric, but we were so comfortable and all having a good time that the rest of our holiday was with Alaric. His nature to please was beyond anything.

Whilst in Zanzibar all our good folks enjoyed his company. Alaric always talked of the 'A' Team, a superb group comprising of Lenny & Meg, Tony Madeira, Florence &  Linda, Bulu Martins, Anthony Rodrigues when in Zanzibar, Felix & Grace, AL's late sisters Carmen (Dolly) and Almira who every Sunday went out for picnics. Alaric provided the music. They all enjoyed swimming, playing cards, wining and dining and Betty and I were fortunate to join them on a few occasions whilst in  beautiful Zanzibar. We were surprised Alaric gave all this up to settle in Goa but knowing Alaric as we know, he often became an enemy to himself often thinking others did not like him and he would fall out with good friends unnecessarily which was a great pity. He often would say things he did not mean and regret it later.Goa became his home.

Below is a photograph at a picnic at Uroa with the 'A' Team Zanzibar.

Above L to R -  Dolly, Lenny, Meg, Linda, Tonny Madeira (back) Almira - Florence & Alaric.

Front row Betty (Rooky & Pervin were surprise special VIP guests who joined the rest which was great).  
A wonderful surprise Reunion 2002.
This good memory photograph by Benny features the late De Souza family (Dolly, Almira & now Alaric ex-Zanzibar).

ABOVE - A dream photograph kindly forwarded by my youngest sister Rhoda. Guess all in the photograph!

Of course you can see me with Rhoda in my arms. Alaric right behind. The rest needs no guessing.

DE SOUZA FAMILY IN ZANZIBAR. 

SEASIDE BEACH UROA.

Few postings added below and to help explain the sad loss of Alaric. More photos will follow shortly.

Unfortunately the problem with his leg got worse, dont think he had the very best medical care help and eventually got very weak, affected by gangerene where he needed blood, later wanted to ampetutate his leg but he was too week. Very sad  end but even before be bid farewell to all of us, he spoke to Astrid which was great and good memories for us all. Our darling Astrid did all she could possibly do in the short while to try and help for this we will never forget her everlasting kindness to everyone. She's blessed as I have always said. Hope this short note gives you the full update but feel free to read below.

Hi Astrid

Thanks for the update. Was not sure whether AL was at home or the hospital but from your note, he is in the hospital which is good.

You can mention to AL that if he would like me to come and do some caring, re his health, making sure he has the right treatment etc., fine, I can do that for a couple of weeks but if his Cousin is doing the necessary, and you being there to advise, may not be of any good me coming to Goa and may just confuse him. You can mention as we are concerned about his health and equally are Yvette, Alex and Anna. We all appreciate all you have been doing in checking him up and earlier Yvette conveys her thanks to you too.

Great you are all having a wonderful time. Have sent you a response from Francis Miranda received a few minutes ago so you all will have a great time.

Do your best what you can for AL, check out Dashu whom we know for a few years as he always took us around in his taxi. 

I misunderstood your previous note thinking AL was at home and did not want to go to any Home for care etc., if he is in hospital right now may be the best thing. 

Thanks Astrid once again. Tell Anthony to help keep a check on Alaric too.

Love to all.

Benny

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Dear Astrid
A million thanks to you once again. Nice to have your report and great all went well with some of our folks who attended. Thanks to all and also convey my thanks to Lea. I found it hard to come to terms with what has happened and it hit me badly all yesterday and today, as such unable to do anything. Your kind support will never be forgotten. I only wish I could have helped earlier but now it is all too late. 
Please let's know when you are returning to London. Hope you meet up with Francis as per schedules. Think he is close to Oliver.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday as best as you can and regards to Leo and all the other folks you meet. Thank them for their support. Look forward to the photographs when you return.
Astrid, I once again wish to thank you for all your support from the time you visited Alaric. 
Love Benny

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Attended the funeral this evening. it was nice to meet Oliver Herbert Jeniferr, Jack and lea.

in fact in the attendants I automatically picked up victors dad with the features of Pantu. Amazing how the genes go.  I also met Victor - a thorough gentleman. I spent a short while chatting with him and in th short conversation I hold him with very high regard.

Dasu was there too,the maid couldnt face the church servicee and soon after the coffin arrived & was opend  she told me she was leaving as she was just so sad. She hugged me.  My eyes filled with tears,as they opened the coffin.

Jerry was not there, I understand he does not go out nor answer phone calls.

I took a whole lot of photos for you but will send them later.

more when we meet.

regards

Astrid

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Thanks for the update on other Zanzibaris in Goa.

It would be nice to meet Francis and Mildred., and not met them since 1980. My telephone number is:9881633053.

My address is Villa A Monte Carlo,just before Resort Lagoa Azul, Arpora Bardez.

I revisited Alaric this noon time today. The maid was feeding him a drink. She said Victor - Alaric's cousin visited him today and that Dasu the driver would be coming in the afternoon, she wanted me to wait to meet the driver.

It was not possible for me to wait as the boys were waiting in the taxi outside.

She gave me Victors telephone number which is 9422638999.

Ben you may like to call this cousin.

   

I suggested to Alaric that he go into a care home run by Saligao nuns for just one month to build himself up. He said he was Ok and didn't want to go.

Anyway I gave the maid the address and name of the nun that I had spoken to, just in case they get desperate.

I spoke to the nurse and she said that he has no blood,hence he is in the state he is in.  Guess Dasu makes his decisions wish they would give him some blood.

I am unable to get involved as he has relatives here so it is now in Dahus hands. The maid did say that the doctor said she could take him home but seeing him bedridden she asked for him to stay longer. He is too weak to sit or even lift the phone.

Alaric is to be blamed for getting himself into this position.

Regards

Astrid

Dear Ben
This morning I awoke early to go and visit Alaric, when I got there at 10.15 am the nurse informed me that he passed away last evening.
I returned home and called his cousin Victor I introduced myself and told him I had visited Alaric in hospital twice.
He informed that Alaric had gangerene and doctors wanted to amputate his leg, His 3 fingers also had wounds.  I had noticed that he had bandages, but as Alaric had not said  much,  I didn't want to probe.
They were unable to give him blood  due to his gangrene.  He added that he  had a similar problem 3 years ago. Victor told me that today is his 79th birthday. They may have the funeral this evening or tomorrow at Calangute.

I asked him to keep me informed as I desired to attend the funeral.

In fact yeterday morning I called and the maid his carer answered Alarics phone and informed me that he was very ill.  I was unable to rush  to the hospital as the boys were departing in the evening and we were out and about.

  I am glad the cousin is preparing the funeral and doing all the needful.

I feel fulfilled that I spared time to visit him and pray with him too, and that he said I was always wellcome to visit him.  May he rest in peace.

With sympathy
Astrid

The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow Thursday. His body will be brought to the church at 3.30 pm followed by the funeral.

Will keep you posted after the funeral.

I still feel so sad that he passed away. We must have had dinner at least 3 timees during the sjcs reunion in his pent house apartment, where he had eats and drinks and fab music flowing.

Last year I invited him for lunch but he was unable to join us few Zanzibaris as he said it was short notice.

I pray his soul rests in peace.

regards

Astrid

Dear Astrid

I am lost for words and dont know how to thank you for all your caring as always. Dont know what we can do from this end but your kind support is highly appreciated. Please do the best you can. He certainly needs help and someone he can trust and I am sure he will listen to your advice. God Bless you for all your concern, taking time to help when you are on holiday. Thanks again. Love Benny

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My dearest Ben, Betty, Annabel, Alexander, Jerome and Rhoda ,... Malaika

Astrid. .... and All My dearest friends who knew Alaric.

Sad greetings in the aftermath of the news of Alaric's death. I thought I'd

write a piece on him the youngest brother of our dearest Mummy

FAREWELL TO :-

UNCLE ALARIC GAMALIAL DE SOUZA SON OF AGAPITUS CLOROMIRO AND CHRISPINA DE SOUZA OF GOA AND ZANZIBAR

BROTHER OF OUR DEAREST MUMMY LAURIANNA, PANTALEON, CARMEN-DOLLY, ALMIRA, JOAQUIM, AND A BABY BROTHER

We all remember Alaric our youngest Uncle who went to school with us and grew up with us as our brother. He was the uncle-brother-friend who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth for he was Mama's baby. She had lost two

sons...Joaquim who was fondly called Joko, and also another son who passed away when he was but a baby. I remember Mama telling me about Joko who was studying in Bangalore with Mummy and Uncle Pantu ... and how he had contracted Typhoid and by the time she got to Bombay from Zanzibar, it was too late. What a heart ache for poor Mama.

It is only now as a mother and grandmother myself that I fully understand my

dearest Grandmother's great sorrow in her loss.

What joy it must have been for her to learn that she was expecting another child even as her own first born was expecting her first child...me. I took the brunt of many jokes in school whenever Alaric was sent to my class with a note to my teachers...and my friends would chant, " Yvette, your Uncle is at the door ".... it was so funny to them to have such a young uncle in our midst.

Perhaps it was this teasing that made Alaric very shy and even more-so because

he had a slight stammer. Alaric never retaliated by coming back with a quick

quip. He was a very contented child and remained so all his life .... and he would have given the shirt off his back to anyone regardless of colour, creed or religion ... and it is for this wonderful inner spirit that all who really knew Alaric admired him and loved him, and today mourn the loss of him.

Alaric was never judgemental of anyone and he was absolutely averse to lies and backbiting. He just didn't have time for such nuances. He was brutally honest and was not reluctant to cut off anyone who was less than honest with him. If we all look into our hearts we will see this to be the truth and might even wish that we too had the courage to speak our minds boldly and without bias.

I remember too that Alaric loved bicycling and that his Biking buddies were Felix Fernandes and Karpal Singh. They must have biked all over Zanzibar, and also sported the best bikes in Zanzibar. Nothing was too good for our grandma Chrispina's baby. So Alaric learnt to only buy the best that money could buy and his status in life afforded him this luxury.

Grandpa Agapitus and Grandma Chrispina loved their youngest child and lovingly doted on him and watched him grow into a young man until he left Zanzibar and went to live in England.

I remember visiting Alaric in 1973 I think , in Portsmouth, with Ben and family, and Jerome, and my two kids at that time. He took us to Haling Island for a picnic where we had a wonderful time and sampled the lovely food he had prepared for us all. He was so kind to all the children including his own, and we all admired his gentleness and unbounding hospitality.

Alaric had many hidden talents and if one looked hard enough one could find the hidden treasures that were the Hallmark of his character.

When we went to Goa for the 2008 Reunion of SJCSZ , Alaric once more showed his tremendous hospitality and his joy at meeting all of us after so many years.

With this I say farewell to this gentle soul who was my uncle and my dearest Mummy's brother , and my dearest Mama's Baby . We called our grandparents Mama and Papa. I am proud to have been his niece and I really wish I could have been there to help him when he was alone and suffering.

But Alaric's Guardian Angel was looking after him when he sent our wonderful friend whom I have named Malaika Astrid who is visiting Goa at the moment, to spend the last days of Alaric's life with him, when she found out that he was in Hospital ..... in his unfathomable pain with gangrene which necessitated amputation of his leg ... a horror he was spared by the Almighty Father in heaven.

I guess Mama must have pleaded with God to spare her baby this torment. Malaika Astrid prayed with Alaric and gave him comfort and also prepared him for heaven, I think, in her ministry as Malaika ... Angel. I cannot thank Astrid enough for her acts of gracious charity and mercy. Astrid is a true Christian who lives her faith. I am proud to be her friend. 
Thank you Astrid ... Asante sana. Dieu borem korun.

Alaric is now in heaven in his mother's bosom and with his Creator who loves not only Alaric but each and everyone of us.

Rest in peace dearest Uncle Alaric and may perpetual light shine upon you. You are orphan no more ...... we are , having lost our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts on both sides of our family. I feel this loss in some inexplicable way.

So my dearest Ben, Betty, Annabel, Alexander, Jerome and Rhoda, Astrid and Friends, let us mourn not, for our dearly departed uncle-brother-friend, but rather celebrate the gentle soul he was....with many prayers and wonderful memories of an era gone forever.

All my love, with Mike's and my children's ..... Aleixo, Anna Marie and Joseph's all of whom have special memories of their grand uncle Alaric.

Yours everlovingly,

Yvette

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IN MEMORIUM
MY FRIEND: ALARIC  DESOUZA
George Pereira

I was very saddened by the sad news that my friend Alaric De Souza passed away in Goa.

My sadness has been heightened by the fact that though Alaric was my contemporary in Zanzibar he was very rarely known to be a part of any group.

He was a very shy and private individual, and even at St. Joseph’s Convent School, he was rarely seen to join the boys in any of the sports activities.

Alaric belonged to a well established family in Zanzibar. He had two sisters and a brother. His father Agapitus owned the Africa Bakery and if he lived today he would be nicknamed Colonial Sanders because of his well trimmed beard.

Apart from producing bread, he sold the most attractive cakes for all occasions.  Agapitus was a very sensitive and giving individual. He was also a very loving father.  As a result, Alaric was privileged to have whatever he wanted particularly in the way of toys.

When the Second World War broke out, Alaric was perhaps the only child in Zanzibar who received toys that were just not available in Zanzibar and if they were, they were far too expensive for mostparents to afford.  Since there was no place in their opulent home to put the growing number of toys in his collection,
Alaric’s father decided that he was going to give away toys that Alaric no longer played with. By this time, Alaric was more interested in electronic toys.

He therefore had a Christmas Tree Party for all the boys and girls who had little, and particularly kids who had lost their fathers.  My brothers and I were invited to this party. We had no idea that we were going to become beneficiaries of a toy. All that we looked forward to was to pad our stomachs with cake and portello. I remember being given a fire truck which I tucked under my pillow every night for months and spend hours winding it and getting
pleasure that only a child knows. It was perhaps the only toy I ever got from anybody when I was a kid.

As I recall most of our toys were fashioned from our own hands.
One particular invention was to tie a key at the end of a stick.

You then put into the keyhole some sulphur shaved off from a match stick or two.

A tightly fitting nail was then put into the keyhole. When slammed on the ground it sounded like a cracker. We also made our own tops which were fashioned from branches cut from the mangrove swamps.

I never had an opportunity to ever thank Alaric for the joy that his act of giving meant to me. And Alaric can now be assured that in my night prayers there will always be a special prayer for his departed soul that is joyfully in the arms of God.

Thank you Alaric!!!

DEAR BETTY AND BENITO:

I GATHERED FROM THE MANY DEMONSTRATIONS OF SADNESS ON THE ZANZIBAR WEBSITE THAT YOU ARE RELATED TO THE LATE ALARIC.

MARGARET AND I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF SENDING YOU OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES OVER HIS SAD DEATH.

I WROTE A TRIBUTE TO ALARIC AND HIS FAMILY AND IT WAS DONE SO WITH THE SINCERITY THAT COMES FROM THAT LITTLE FELLOW MANY YEARS AGO WHOSE HEART WAS TOUCHED BY ALARIC'S ACT OF GIVING. THAT LITTLE FELLOW WAS ME AND ALARIC MUST KNOW TODAY, THAT I KEPT THE MEMORY OF HIS ACT OF GIVING THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS.

MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO WITHSTAND THE PAIN THAT PARTING ALWAYS GIVES ANYONE WHO CARES?

ALARIC IS NOW IN A BETTER PLACE AND IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS NOW.

GEORGE AND MARGARET.

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Thank You Malaika.

My dearest Malaika Astrid, what else can I call you for your wonderful works of mercy in coming to Alaric's aid in his time of need?

Asante sana ndugu Malaika Mungu ata kubarika wewe sana.

Thank you Astrid once again. I hear you were a real angel of mercy to Alaric.

I was in Halifax yesterday getting a tooth implant ... it was a long day. Before leaving the house I went to the computer to send Alaric a Birthday Greeting when I saw Oliver's message that was forwarded to me by Jerome. So I sent a quick reply as I had to leave by 7.00am.

Please send me whatever details you can of my dear uncle who is now in heaven. May God grant him eternal rest and may perpetual light shine upon him. Alaric is now with our parents, grandparents and his siblings.

I am so sorry to have lost the last link of our mother's family, in the loss of Alaric. God Bless him.

I have been frightfully busy these past little while with by Book which I self-published just before Christmas in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of my St. Ninian's Children's Choir of which I am the founder and Director. As a result of my busyness, nobody received any Christmas mailing this past December, except for my Book notice. I hope I did not offend all my friends.  I plan to make up for it with a Valentine mailing ..... so please bear with me.

My book has been well received and is selling well far and near. I only have 18 Books left to sell. It's been a wonderful and exciting learning experience and journey for me. When you are back in England go and see my Book at Ben's ... OK???

Have a great time in Goa and remember me to Lea, Wynoma, Oliver and others I know.

Take care and God Bless.

Love from Mike and me,

Yvette

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Hi Yvette

Thank you for your warm email.

My apologies for my silence. Too many email’s to respond to.

 Yes it is heartbreaking that Alaric is no more. He was very warming to us in 2007 Zbar and Goa 2008, in fact I had dinner 3 times at his place during the SJC reunion. Last year I called and invited him but he was unable to join us few Zbaries as it was short notice. I was disappointed hence this time soon after arriving I called him a few times but could not get thru.  I then called Oliver to check the number and he confirmed the same cell number.  I persevered and finally Alaric answered but could not talk apart from saying he was in hospital. I was disappointed as the line cut. Fortunately Oliver was able to get me the hospital name and I got there.

I treaded very carefully. I asked him if it was Ok for me to visit, I then gently asked if I could inform Ben.  He agreed. I asked if there was anything I could do to help.  I then suggested may be he go into care for just a month. He assured me he was Ok and didn’t need to. I however spoke to the nuns who were known to me and my parents and they agreed to have him.

Before I left him after the first visit I plucked courage to ask him if we could say a small prayer together. He agreed, he struggled to make the sign of the cross but he did. He was just so weak as I was praying he fell asleep and woke up again. I asked if I could revisit and he responded you are always welcome.

This made me feel so fulfilled.  I stroke his hand and left him.

When I visited him the second time I asked him if he knew who I was and he replied Astrid.  I told him he made my day he smiled.

The maid was feeding him a drink, the short while I was there she displayed care and concern, requesting me try to get him into care home, as the hospital wanted to discharge him and asked me to call Victor. I didn’t want to interfere as I was not known to anyone. 

When I rushed early on Tuesday to hospital the nurse told me he died. My heart sank.

At the funeral I had time to speak to victor. From his talk I knew he was a man of high integrity. He spoke for a while and said he had spoken to the same nuns a while ago, but Dasu did not want Alaric to go into care. 

At the funeral the maid hugged me, as soon as the coffin was open she said to me she couldn’t bring herself to wait. I suggested she sit with me, but she insisted that she wanted to leave as it was upsetting.  

 I took several photos of the funeral so that they tell the story. Whilst the coffin was lowered into the ground 'Lord I am coming home' was played. it got very emotional. There was a bouquet from you all overseas and another from Victors family and Dasu.  Total there were about 28 attendees.  I understand that Alaric had told Victor if he died not to inform anyone. But I had called Victor, introduced myself and asked him to give me funeral details which he did so we all could attend.

I noticed a man resembling Pantu and walked up to him and asked who he was. He said he was Victors dad. In fact Lea said she looked at another man from the side in church and felt confident he was Bens cousin-  i.e.  Victor.

When they told me the relationship to Alaric I feel I had visited them in late 70's.  Victor’s dad invited me to visit them, but really there is no time as I have yet to meet some helpful friends here.

Later yesterday at dinner I noticed Edwin Coutinho and Marina on a table near us. They were so disappointed that they were not informed as they lived so near the Calangute Church. Oliver reminded me that the last time we were all together was at the Mass you arranged for SJCS. 

Oliver, Tony Rod (Jack) Herbert & Jenifer Lea and myself attended including the daughter of Red Lion pub house in Zanzibar. She did not remember me as she said she left as a child. She is Felix's (Zbar) cousin.

As soon as I return will send you the photos as they are very slow to load out here in Arpora or may go to Leas to load them.

I am undecided when I will depart but may extend to 19th. Feb. We are really enjoying Goa. Carnival starts today.

With much love and once again thank you for the warm email. Hope the tooth fairy provided  you a good implant at minimum cost!

Excuse my rushed email.

Astrid

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My dearest Ben, Betty, Annabel,  Alexander, Jerome and Rhoda,

Malaika  Astrid ..... and All My dearest friends who knew Alaric.

 Sad greetings in the aftermath of the news of Alaric's death.  I thought I'd

write a piece on him the youngest brother of our dearest Mummy

A FAREWELL TO :-

UNCLE ALARIC GAMALIAL DE SOUZA SON OF AGAPITUS CLOROMIRO AND CHRISPINA DE SOUZA OF GOA AND ZANZIBAR BROTHER OF OUR DEAREST MUMMY LAURIANNA, PANTALEON, CARMEN-DOLLY, ALMIRA, JOAQUIM, AND A BABY BROTHER

 We all remember Alaric our youngest Uncle who went to school with us and grew

up with us as our brother. He was the uncle-brother-friend who grew up with a

silver spoon in his mouth for he was Mama's baby. She had lost two sons ... Joaquim who was fondly called Joko, and also another son who passed away when he was but a baby. I remember Mama telling me about Joko who was studying in Bangalore with Mummy and Uncle Pantu ...and how he had contracted Typhoid and by the time she got to Bombay from Zanzibar, it was too late. What a heart ache for poor Mama.

 It is only now as a mother and grandmother myself that I fully understand my dearest Grandmother's great sorrow in her loss.

What joy it must have been for her to learn that she was expecting another child even as her own first born was expecting her first child...me. I took the brunt of many jokes in school whenever Alaric was sent to my class with a note to my teachers...and my friends would chant, " Yvette, your Uncle is at the door ".... it was so funny to them to have such a young uncle in our midst.

Perhaps it was this teasing that made Alaric very shy and even more-so because he had a slight stammer. Alaric never retaliated by coming back with a quick quip. He was a very contented child and remained so all his life....and he would have given the shirt off his back to anyone regardless of colour, creed or religion...and it is for this wonderful inner spirit that all who really knew Alaric admired him and loved him, and today mourn the loss of him.

Alaric was never judgemental of anyone and he was absolutely averse to lies and backbiting. He just didn't have time for such nuances. He was brutally honest and was not reluctant to cut off anyone who was less than honest with him. If we all look into our hearts we will see this to be the truth and might even wish that we too had the courage to speak our minds boldly and without bias.

I remember too that Alaric loved bicycling and that his Biking buddies were Felix Fernandes and Karpal Singh. They must have biked all over Zanzibar, and also sported the best bikes in Zanzibar. Nothing was too good for our grandma Chrispina's baby. So Alaric learnt to only buy the best that money could buy.... and his status in life afforded him this luxury.

Grandpa Agapitus and Grandma Chrispina loved their youngest child and lovingly doted on him and watched him grow into a young man until he left Zanzibar and went to live in England.

I remember visiting Alaric in 1973 I think , in Portsmouth, with Ben and family, and Jerome, and my two kids at that time. He took us to Haling Island for a picnic where we had a wonderful time and sampled the lovely food he had prepared for us all. He was so kind to all the children including his own, and we all admired his gentleness and unbounding hospitality.

Alaric had many hidden talents and if one looked hard enough one could find the hidden treasures that were the Hallmark of his character.

When we went to Goa for the 2008 Reunion of SJCSZ , Alaric once more showed his tremendous hospitality and his joy at meeting all of us after so many years.

With this I say farewell to this gentle soul who was my uncle and my dearest Mummy's brother , and my dearest Mama's Baby . We called our grandparents Mama and Papa. I am proud to have been his niece and I really wish I could have been there to help him when he was alone and suffering.

But Alaric's Guardian Angel was looking after him when he sent our wonderful friend whom I have named Malaika Astrid who is visiting Goa at the moment, to spend the last days of Alaric's life with him, when she found out that he was in Hospital ..... in his unfathomable pain with gangrene which necessitated amputation of his leg...a horror he was spared by the Almighty Father in heaven.

I guess Mama must have pleaded with God to spare her baby this torment. Malaika Astrid prayed with Alaric and gave him comfort and also prepared him for heaven, I think, in her ministry as Malaika ...Angel. I cannot thank Astrid enough for her acts of gracious charity and mercy. Astrid is a true Christian who lives her faith. I am proud to be her friend.

Thank you Astrid...Asante sana. Dieu borem korun.

Alaric is now in heaven in his mother's bosom and with his Creator who loves not only Alaric but each and everyone of us.

Rest in peace dearest Uncle Alaric and may perpetual light shine upon you. You are orphan no more......we are , having lost our parents, grandparents , uncles and aunts on both sides of our family. I feel this loss in some inexplicable way.

So my dearest Ben, Betty, Annabel, Alexander, Jerome and Rhoda, Astrid and Friends, let us mourn not, for our dearly departed uncle-brother-friend, but rather celebrate the gentle soul he was....with many prayers and wonderful memories of an era gone forever.

All my love, with Mike's and my children's ..... Aleixo, Anna Marie and Joseph's all of whom have special memories of their grand uncle Alaric.

Yours everlovingly,

Yvette

MORE ADDED FROM YVETTE

THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE PARTY IN ZANZIBAR OF YORE, and ALARIC.

My dearest Georgey,

It is so good to finally hear from someone who attended that Fairytale Christmas

Tree Party that my Grandfather and Grandmother whom we called Papa and Mama,

gave for their friends and family, eons ago. I was a little girl then, must have

been about 7 or 8 I think but I remember this Party to this day without missing

a thing.

You see, as grand-daughter, I was privy to all the preparations for the Party.

My grandfather was a wealthy businessman who had the best Toy Shop and Sweet

shop in all of East Africa. He imported toys and sweets from Britain and Europe

and India ...toys to fill every child's dream. I used to drool over the dolls

and the magic painting books and I simply adored the barley sugar sweets he

sold. Uncle Panty always had one for me whenever I went to their house.

Over and above this side of the business, Papa had a bakery to make bread and

fine confectioneries. He brought Goan bakers from Goa to work for him, gave them

flats to live in whilst they were in his employ. Papa was a true entrepreneur

and I loved going for drives in his old fashioned car of the model-T era.

When the war came, the focus of his business changed, and so Papa decided to

close down the Toy and Sweet sections of his business as Britain and Europe were

not exporting toys. The focus was on the war to defeat Hitler. My grandfather

used to tell me all about his business ventures. He also taught me a lot about

astronomy, philosophy and believe it or not origami. And from Mama I learnt

sewing, crocheting , tatting and lace-making with macrame, added to which I

learnt music and art from Mummy, and writing from my journalist Dad. I was such

a blest child, if only I'd known that at that time.

Anyway going back to that Christmas Party, Papa did not want to sell his toys

for a song, so he decided to have a Big Christmas Party for all his friends

together with their children, and of course us. It was an exciting time.

Why I remember this party especially, is because I fell in love with one

particular toy ..........  it was a His Master's Voice gramaphone complete with

horn amplifier, which was a smaller version of the one Papa had for his LP's.

The toy one came with smaller records and played children's songs and stories.

Papa had two of these. I begged him to give me one. I was told that one was for

Alaric and the other was to be drawn for at the Party, and that if I was lucky I

might win it. How I prayed I would win it.

At the Party we were all dress up in our glad rags and there was music and

running around as children are wont to do. After a scrumptious meal and

home-made ice cream we were all gathered into the big Hall and then Father

Christmas arrived with a big bag filled with sweets. He sounded like Uncle Bras

or Uncle Frank Machado ....we were to call our parents friends, uncle or aunty.

The he started giving out presents to all the children . The girls received

dolls, skipping ropes with ball-bearing handles, and magic colouring books. And

the boys received wind-up cars, trucks, trains, Mecchano sets Tinker-toy sets

and puzzles and board games. Now each gift had been beautifully wrapped and we

were told to save the number that was attached to the wrapper for the big draw

later.

I received a beautiful doll as did most of the girls, but my heart was with the

gramaphone. I took my gift and put it in a drawer in uncle Pantu's room and

forgot about it as I wanted to play with the children.

I missed the big moment when Father Christmas pulled out number 6 from the hat,

for the first prize. Nobody came forward. Almira and Dolly came to me and asked

me what number I had. I didn't remember. So I took them to the draw where, you

guessed it, number 6 was on my wrapper. They ran with me to Father Christmas and

I was the winner of that beautiful gramaphone. I cried and hugged Papa and Mama

and everybody in sight. Was the draw rigged??? Now , when I think about it , it

must have been. At that time, I just knew I was the luckiest girl in the whole

world.

A few years ago I found a miniature music box just like that grammaphone...it

plays Moon River...I just had to buy it to perpetuate my childhood memories !

Crazy ??? May be !!!

So my dearest Georgey, Ben and Annabel, Jerome and Rhoda, here is a piece of

history about our Papa and Mama and Aunts and Uncles you wouldn't remember or

know about. I'm glad you, Georgey, opened that window in my memory of a

wonderful time when we were children and garnered wonderful memories to last a

life-time. You would not have known the inside scoop. Eh??

After that Party, because of the war, Papa had to let go of his Goan employees,

some of whom remained in Zanzibar whilst others scattered in East Africa or went

back to Goa.

Now Alaric grew up in that home of much love where nothing was wanting.

In 2008, at the SJCSZ Reunion in Goa, we went to visit Alaric in his home , way

up in the penthouse, I called it. Had to climb 5  flights of stairs with my

recently acquired new knees. His living room was decorated with Zanzibar

carvings and art works. He had the latest computer and Hi-fi system, two

bedrooms, a kitchen and two verandahs with high rot-iron gates for protection.

He had his maid serve us with lovely eats and chai. He was living like maharaja.

All who visited him there will attest to this I'm sure.

Geogey, I wish you had visited Alaric, or spoken to him at the Reunion. You

would have seen that he lacked for nothing, and that he would have given you the

shirt off his back, had you thanked him, as you say, for that wonderful

Christmas Party his Papa and Mama had thrown for all of us lucky ones eons ago

when he, you and I were children.

Lots of love, Georgie, and lots of Blessings too.

Yvette  ....  your Zanzibar friend of yore !.