In Loving Memory of Maurice Dantas
Maurice Dantas passed away peacefully at home in Sutton, UK on 24 January 2025, just a week shy of his 87th birthday. After several difficult years of poor health, he is now reunited with his beloved wife, Cynthia, who passed away in 2011. They were a beautiful couple, first introduced by a lifelong friend and meeting at Nairobi’s famous Thorn Tree Cafe. Like all the Dantas men, Maurice married above his station, a fact we often joked about to his amusement. We take great comfort knowing they are together again.
Maurice was a force of nature. With boundless energy and a voice that could carry across any room, he was always ready to dive into a lively debate on just about any topic. He was a gifted storyteller, and with each retelling, the “fish” in his stories grew ever larger an endearing trait that kept us entertained for decades.
A successful businessman, Maurice started several ventures some great, some not so great, but always exciting. He was a proud Kenyan and if not for Mum’s health, would have happily spent his later years in Nairobi among friends. He was a leader in his community, serving as Chair of the Goan Gymkhana and the Asian Foundation, Captain at Sigona Golf Club, and Chairperson of both the Kenya Golf Society and the Senior Golfing Society. He was on the committee of the Kenya Hockey Union and managed the national team at the 1973 World Cup. Maurice also took great pride in being appointed Chairman of the Kenya Pipeline Co. under the country’s third president. He was fully engaged in life and with people.
Above all, Maurice was a devoted father - loving, supportive, and endlessly proud. He championed his sons, Richard and Kevin, to the point of embarrassment, though today, that unwavering pride brings us nothing but warmth and laughter. He is survived by Richard and Kevin, their wives, Michele and Elaine, and his cherished grandchildren, Halle, Emma, Callum, and Liam. He also leaves behind his sisters, Claire Fonseca, Tina Da Costa, and Colleen D’Souza. His dear friend and carer Sameer Salah was a wonderful companion in his final years.
Dad, we love you and miss you. Your stories, your signature laugh, and your presence will always remain in our hearts and minds.
A funeral service will be held at St. Christopher’s Church in Cheam, UK, on February 13, 2025, at 10 AM, followed by a cremation service, as was Dad’s wish, at Northeast Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden, at 12 PM. We will then gather at The Grange, London Road, in Wallington at 1:30 PM to celebrate Maurice’s life the way he would have wanted - through stories, laughter, and fond memories.
All who knew and loved him are welcome. And if you simply know any of our extended family and friends, please come and celebrate with us; your support and love have been a source of strength and a reflection of the close ties we share, especially with friends from our home in Kenya. We are certain there will be an after-celebration as well, as Dad so often organized, at 6 PM somewhere on High Street, Sutton.
We will also host a ‘Toast to Maurice’ video call at a later date TBD.
In lieu of flowers, please bring your memories to share.
Richard
and Kevin
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