THE grief and sorrow of losing their father was evident on the faces of Alisha, Sonia and Jay Patel as they, with thousands of people, paid their last respects to their father and CJ Patel managing director Sundip Jayantilal Patel in Davuilevu yesterday.
Apart from being a well-recognised businessman in Fiji, the Pacific and the world, Mr Patel was a caring, compassionate, respected and loyal father to his children.
Mr Patel’s son Jay Patel said his father was one of a kind and was always supportive of the family and he thanked his father for his love every day.
Daughters Alisha and Sonia Patel said their father was the coolest and most kind-hearted person they knew and a person who had a positive attitude.
Close friend Suruj Sharma said Mr Patel’s life was full of happiness with his wife and children around him and his parents and sisters.
“He was loved and respected by his friends and he was someone who was always there for anyone. He loved to live life to the fullest. And compassionate, integrity, determined, love and respect are words that describe him,” Mr Sharma said.
“He was the most generous man we knew, a man who gave with an open heart without any expectations. His family was important to him.”
Attorney-General and Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Mr Patel was a soft spoken man, who was modest and was able to engage with people without being overbearing.
“He was one of those business people who while being very savvy on commercial interest was also one who believed in corporate social responsibility,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Government officials, businessmen and staff members of CJ Patel Group of Companies, family and friends paid their last respects at Mr Patel’s residence and at the crematorium.
