Faiz Shacha was our ‘fun uncle’
I wish to pen a few words for my dearest uncle Ahmed Faiz Nizar on his third year of passing. Faiz Shacha, as he was fondly known to us, passed away on February 10th, 2020 after a life full of accomplishments and magnanimous generosity. His loss continues to leave a hole in those close to him, but he changed the world for the better for those he touched during his long and illustrious lifetime.
Faiz Shacha rose to great heights both professionally and personally. As well as being well read and widely travelled, most importantly he was generous with his time in nurturing those around him. A founder member of the Sri Lankan Leukaemia Foundation (UK), he was charitable at heart and supported the Sri Lanka Foundation for the Destitute among other charitable organizations.
He attended St. Peter’s College, Colombo and graduated from Peradeniya University with honours in Geography. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant and quickly rose from General Manager Finance at Insurance Corporation to Managing Director of Lanka Orient Leasing Company. He later moved to Tunisia and then settled in London UK where he continued to excel. He raised his two sons to become doctors with the loving support of his wife Aunty Sirini whom he married in 1974.
My earliest recollection of Faiz Shacha was when I was 5 years old, and he came to our home in Wellawatte and wanted to take me to the Kinross beach in Bambalapitya. My Dad, Faiz Shacha’s older brother was keen on us focusing on our studies. Faiz Shacha felt strongly about academics coupled with other physical activities such as swimming and tennis and was a keen fan of cricket.
Always encouraging, helpful and with a handsome smile, Faiz Shacha was the ‘fun uncle’. He would talk avidly about sports and his love for life. He was constantly looking to travel with his family and I would look forward to going to his home and be thrilled as he would make me feel special.
When I moved to England for my clinical rotations, he opened his home for me to stay and helped me get a job while waiting for my rotations to start. While I deeply appreciated this, I know he has always had an open door for many. During my two years in England, his home in Leyton Road was like home for me. To this day many years later, I am fortunate to still feel the same way.
During his challenging illness of Parkinson’s, he came all the way from England to visit me in upstate New York. I will never forget his patience with me while I was trying to get him to see Niagara Falls. Trying not to let him miss the last boat Maid of the Mist to the falls, I was rushing. Faiz Shacha showed immense patience and moving at his own pace, not only did we make it on time but had a great time due to his example.
I have been fortunate to learn from his love for reading and am still thrilled at his library of books. A voracious reader, his depth of knowledge on different subjects is legendary. From finance to religion to Middle East issues, no topic was beyond his understanding. His calm way of explaining the topics showed his depth of understanding. Travelling with his wife and kids I am in awe at the places he has gone to, both cultural and historic sites of this world. He had an appetite to see and immerse himself in different parts of the world.
His passion for human rights, the Palestinian cause and March for Justice and helping the local mosques is another aspect of Faiz Shacha to admire.
Three years after his passing, I feel a mixture of loss and happiness. Loss, due to not being able to talk to him and learn more from him. But happiness over what he brought to this world. His determination to make this world a better place by his work and charities and caring for all have set an example for all of us to follow. I strive to pick up some of these qualities and push my kids to do so. He made the world a better place.
May Allah give Faiz Shacha a special place in heaven for all his deeds. His charitable work continues to help those in need and his family, Aunty Sirini, Shiyam and Shahan along with his two grandkids who he doted on, continue his legacy.