A charming personality he made friends easily and kept them

Huzair A. Cader, son of the late N.H.M. Abdul Cader, State Councillor and Ummu Hafeera Cader, passed away after a brief illness, in the UK, on March 23. He was 82. Huzair had his education at S. Thomas College, Gurutalawa,and later at S. Thomas, Mount Lavinia. At Gurutalawa he came under the influence of the legendary Dr. R.L. Hayman and Rev. Foster. A diligent student, he became the Head Prefect of the school.

The elder of twins, even Headmaster Hayman could not distinguish them and resorted to summoning them by their surname and then enquiring which of the brothers it was!

It was in sports that Huzair excelled. He represented S. Thomas Gurutalawa in cricket, soccer and hockey. It was in hockey that he shone, a strong left hander, representing the Moors Sports Club in the domestic tournament on leaving school. At Mount Lavinia,Huzair represented the college in rugger, football and hockey, even when fasting during Ramazan.

One of his first jobs was at the well known Department store, of that time, Millers. Ltd., There an “incident” that was a measure of his true nature. When pay day came, a colleague lamented the inability to make ends meet with his meagre salary and Huzair promptly offered to give him his own whole salary! Similar gestures were to occur in later life.

After a short stint at Millers, Huzair took up an appointment as Private Secretary to his brother-in-law the late M.M. Maharoof when he was Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Pakistan. He later functioned in the same capacity when Maharoof was appointed Ambassador to Indonesia. While in Jakarta, Huzair had the opportunity to visit the historical sites for which that country is famous. It kindled in him a curiosity in such places, which he made it a point to visit in in the Middle East in later life.

On returning from Jakarta, the family business beckoned and he got involved in the management of the New Olympia cinema. But he soon tired of this and sought fresh pastures in the UK where two of his brothers were resident. Huzair followed a course in Chemical Engineering and found employment in a professional firm. He was a diligent worker and popular employee. When the time came to retire, a company which had a contract with his employer, refused to renew the contract unless “Mr.Cader” was responsible for the account! Huzair had his term of employment extended.

He married Shafie Bibi from Guyana and they were a devoted couple for more than 40 years. They have two children, Hafeera and Affif, both brought up in the best traditions.

Huzair had great charm. He made friends easily and kept them. He was very generous with his time and money in making others happy. In hindsight, it was his ability not to permit third party prejudices to colour his friendships that made him mix easily with very disparate individuals. On a visit to the UK last year, before he fell ill, I happened to take a walk with him in Woolwich , where he lived for more than 40 years. It was truly amazing to note the spontaneous reactions of friendship from his neighbours.

His siblings and many nephews and nieces, spread all over the globe, found in Huzair a convenient point man in London. A good cook, he would take great delight in preparing a special meal. If a relation was going to London, a visit to his home was a must.

Huzair and his surviving brothers, Zackrof, Huzam (twin) and Ifhikar, were orphaned when they were very young. This served to make them bond as a very close quartet. He bore his illness stoically. To his wife Shafie, children, Hafeera and Affif, and sonin-law Pawell, his passing away is an irreparable loss.

May the Almighty grant him Jennathul Firdous.

A cousin