Eulogy (25 June 2010) - My beloved uncle

I was 6yrs old, when on 09 August 1995, I was made the flower girl for Shyla and Stephen’s wedding and that’s when we invited Mr. Stephen Francis into our lives.

My earliest memory of him was sitting in their bedroom on their first night and refusing to get out as I wanted to have an intelligent conversation (about food) and chit chat with "my new uncle". Yes, inspite of them trying to kick me out, my mom and dad and Gran trying to call me away, I stayed with them – all the way till 11pm :)

A formula 1 fan and a dedicated Michael Schumacher follower, Stephen uncle introduced me to the world of car racing when I was just 11. He even got me a cap signed personally from my favourite formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher when he went for one of his many F1 races.

My relationship with Stephen uncle was quite straight forward and easy to maintain. Plain and simple – Give and take! Everyone at home hated cleaning the fish tank every week, therefore I would help him clean the fish tank and I would get a burger. Or if Chech asked him to do some chores around home, he would call me [I lived in the next building] and say ‘Aye Sharon, want a double whopper from Hardees followed by donuts?’ and I would obviously say ‘YES!’ He will then give me my task list for the weekend! … A very understanding relationship I must add.

He was different from all the other "uncles" in my life – no unwanted lectures. He would give me 50 Dirhams when I ask for 5! An adventurous guy by nature, his ideal weekend was a long drive to the desert, camp there the whole night and go quad riding all of which I have been a part of many a times.

And gradually as I entered my teens he introduced me to the world of music. From the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears that I used to listen to, Stephen uncle got me to explore Scorpions, Roger Waters and he even took me for the Jethro Tull concert in Dubai.

An intelligent man and well aware of everything happening around him, he would beat us any day on a game of scrabble and monopoly. I would always prefer being in his "team" as we never stood a chance of losing.

The line he used to live by was "the future belongs to those who dare" and I have always seen him practice this by teaching Sarah and Rachel to take the path less taken by others and to explore their alternatives.

During his 43 yrs on Earth he was the loving son and brother to the Francis family. He was the loving and doting brother-in- law and uncle to the Samji family. The passion in his life - he was the loving and caring husband to Shyla Stephen for 14 yrs and 10 months and finally the role he took the most seriously the father, provider and mentor to Sarah Ann Stephen and Rachel Elisa Stephen

One of Stephen uncle’s fav quotes was "it’s good to be in abundance" and at this point it’s amazing at the abundant strength and love he has left us with. And because of all this and coz of who he was in our lives, we celebrate his life and not mourn his death.

And just like how chech and Stephen Uncle would say to each other, we ‘love u now, forever and a day..’

Stephen Uncle – I’ll love u always coz u were different from the rest.

Signed - ur favourite niece!