A TRIBUTE TO ADOLPH DIAS - MY MENTOR, GUIDE & DEAR FRIEND

By Ancel Fernandes,
19th Sept 2019, Dubai

Adolph, you were one of the world’s most intelligent, knowledgeable, and creative people I have known.

As a befitting tribute, I am writing these verses with rhyme, for the many things you have shown.

Your day started with prayer and your creative juices flowing,

and it wasn’t complete without the Holy Eucharist and in the gym or squash court your sweat showing.

You surprised the world with your many accomplishments, amazing inventions & creation,

That you accomplished through sheer belief in God and yourself, persistence and determination.

We worked very closely in 2010 to organise UAE’s first Apologetics retreats with Steve Ray,

And since then, our friendship and relationship grew with each passing day.

You wrote the beautiful lyrics for our theme song “Catholic For A Reason”

And we’ll cherish and remember you for this, season after season.

You taught me how to improve my health by including the following in my diet everyday.

1 apple + 2 carrots + 3 dates + 4 almonds + 5 walnuts was your healthy formula to keep sickness at bay.

I enjoyed our long, stimulating conversations when we met in church or on the phone.

You used your driving time to Ajman and back effectively, by calling me, without being accident prone.

You urged me to start jogging and exercising to lose weight,

And to get me started, you even showed up at my building gate.

If I needed some advice, you were always willing to listen and share,

Over a cup of tea at Venus restaurant or anywhere.

You went out of your way to help so many people at our parish in Dubai,

Despite your very busy schedule and you never felt shy.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, you were able to negotiate and convince the powers that be,

Resulting in positive outcomes for the many distress cases you helped without any fee.

I learned from you how to be a true Samaritan helping others in need,

Without stealing the limelight and bragging about it, indeed.

You and Prabha made a great team,

Complimenting each others strengths, it was like a dream.

You were a loving husband, father, entrepreneur, parishioner, and friend.

A role model for many to follow and adopt your trend.

You were an inspiration for every Catholic in UAE and elsewhere,

to reach out to others, smile, love, care and share.

You wrote over 250,000 inspirational verses with rhyme,

That will have a profound impact in the life of readers over time.

When I used to caution you to slow down your pace as you were aging,

You told me that you needed to accomplish a lot more for God’s kingdom, and your hormones were raging.

You were always dressed and groomed so well,

It made your age hard to tell.

Louella, my wife, says, you were the perfect gentlemen, by far

When she met you last in church on 7th Sept, you volunteered to walk with her to the car.

You shared with me your vision for the future and the many things you still needed to do.

But, alas, our loving God had different plans for you.

Adolph, my friend, you were a very rare gem in this world and on earth we will miss your face,

Rest in peace with Jesus dear Adolph. I’m sure, in heaven, you have already earned your place.

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