HUNDREDS paid their final respects to one of Ba’s most revered and respected sons, Daniel Elisha, in a moving ceremony at the Christ the King Parish yesterday.
The former Ba mayor and founder of Elisha Engineering Company Ltd was laid to rest at the Rarawai cemetery by loved ones, politicians and members of Fiji’s business community.
Paying tribute to his friend and neighbour was RC Manubhai and Company Pte Ltd managing director Dinesh Patel who revealed that the 73-year-old had been a strong influence in his life.
“Dan was a fatherly figure, an uncle, a mentor, a great friend and very much a part of our extended family,” he said.
“In my early days, I remember going to see Dan after work to seek his help, advice and guidance in my work. He always found time to sit with and help me in whatever way he could.
“He was larger than life or in engineering terms ‘a man of steel’.”
Also paying tribute to Mr Elisha was former Ba special administrator and Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Parveen Kumar.
He said Mr Elisha loved Ba and had dedicated his life’s work to helping the community.
“He was a Ba boy through and through,” he said.
“He was a proud son of Ba. His story of how he began his business and turned it into one of the most iconic engineering firms in the town is one that speaks volumes of this man and his standing in the community.
“This was the reason many of us in Ba from different generations always looked for his advice and guidance.”
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Minister for Lands Ashneel Sudhakar and former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry also attended the funeral.
Mr Elisha is survived by wife Margaret, two daughters and three sons.
