No tears, only joy for Sam Mahfood
SAM Mahfood’s relatives and friends were obviously sad to lose their loved one but yesterday there was relief that his death had ended his approximately two years of pain and suffering with lung cancer.
“We do not grieve for Sam because his death has brought release from a mortal body that had become worn and weary,” said Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Reverend Charles Dufour, in his homily at the thanksgiving ceremony for Mahfood’s life.
“Sam had said, while he was ill, that he was at peace and he had made peace with God,” Rev Dufour told the Sunday Observer after the packed service at the Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Liguanea, St Andrew.
Mahfood’s widow, Rosemarie, in reference to the tearless ceremony, told the newspaper that her husband had “suffered badly”.
Hundreds filled the church to overflowing to pay their last respects to the 63-year-old businessman who was eulogised as a great man, one who had a heart for the poor.
Continuing his homily, Rev Dufour, the main celebrant among several other priests who took part, told the gathering that “death also offers a return to the presence of the God who created us in his own likeness”.
“When we see our loved ones suffer or grow weak — and Sam suffered tremendously — we become uncomfortable and unhappy. We want to do something to help them and we do everything we can. But surely we must realise that our best intentions and efforts are not really good enough. We can never give to our loved ones what they want and need because God has lovingly reserved that privilege for himself,” he assured.
Rev Burchell McPherson, who read the remembrance, said: “Sam’s calling to serve came to full flight when, with him as co-founder and chairman, the world-renowned Food for the Poor came into being. Sam Mahfood’s ideals are all spelt out in the mission of Food for the Poor. For those who are to be reminded of this, it is simply — to be faithful to God is to serve humanity, especially the poor through windows of opportunity.”
Saleem “Sam” Mahfood served as chairman of West Indies Synthetics Company Ltd, Wisynco Trading Ltd and Seville Development Co Ltd. He was also director of the Jamaica Drink Co and served as the fourth president of the Private Sector of Jamaica (PSOJ). Mahfood’s curriculum vitae also noted his stewardship as head of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association.
His impact on Jamaica’s business community was highlighted in a tribute published by ATL Group chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, in yesterday’s Daily Observer.
“His clarity of thought, his work ethic, and his entrepreneurial flair are characteristics of which legends are made,” Stewart said.
He also described Mahfood as a friend from whom he learnt a lot and who inspired him as a businessman.
Mahfood, despite his accolade as an astute entrepreneur, will be most remembered as an ambassador for the unfortunate, which spoke directly to his character. He was recalled as one who assisted selflessly by orchestrating housing for the poor; supplying water to rural areas; assisting schools with educational resources; improving established soup kitchens which feed the poor and improving programmes for street people.
“In administering to the needs of the poor, Sam did so with sensitivity and love,” said Rev McPherson.