Fly High, Uncle Gomez

Uncle Gomez is no more? The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) lost its most senior member C R I Gomez at the ripe old age of 91 years on Wednesday 30th June 2021. Ignatius (Gerry) Gomez was born in 1930 in a Christian family and attended St Peter’s College Colombo 04.  He was a chorister at school and his love for singing proceeded into the church choir. His interest in Cricket at school continued when he sought employment as well, first at Caltex, later at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with the nationalization of petroleum industries. While at Caltex he played cricket at the Mercantile Cricket Association tournaments representing Caltex. After he left CPC, he joined Maurice Roche and Co. Ltd. as Factory Manager, at their Lighting Factory until his retirement.

We at FOGSL got to know Uncle Gomez in the early 1990s just after his retirement when he showed interest in connecting with nature, something he had missed in his younger days, confined to the City as he was for most of his life. He was the most regular participant at the FOGSL monthly meetings showing his enthusiasm to learn about the wonders of nature and animal behaviour. This interest extended to the field trips to popular birding locations in the interior of the country where he greatly enjoyed getting to know bird behaviour and identifying them in the field. Age was no barrier for him on these outings as he mingled with the young and revealed he could be more mischievous than the young, at times. His love for FOGSL made him more active with the administration of the group. As he lived in Colombo, he was always available when needed. He was a member of the Committee many a year and was always the Interim President by tradition at every AGM before the new committee was appointed.

He was a remarkable person, given to celebrate the spirits of the Christmas season. Every Christmas saw the FOGSL family gathered at his residence for song and wine. His contribution to amusement during leisure while on field trips and at his residence reflected his love and affection to the cause of FOGSL. I personally recollect his involvement when he assisted me to organize the farewell for Mrs. Tara Gandhi wife of the then Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka (2000-2002); she assisted FOGSL in many ways, especially when hosting the second Pan Asian Ornithological Congress (PASOC-2000)  in Kandy Sri Lanka.

Uncle Gomez was active until the last stages of his life and many of us communicated with him even during the lockdown when it was not possible to conduct the monthly meetings, physically. It was unfortunate that he passed away when travelling is restricted in the country due to the current pandemic situation. Nevertheless, FOGSL wishes to show our humble respect towards his generosity and commitment to the activities of the Group. The membership has lost its most senior member and a very dear friend and a gentleman.

He leaves behind, his beloved wife Doreen, sons’ Kevin, Hiran and Dillon the three daughters in law, and six grandchildren and a host of friends.

 

“May the earth rest lightly on you” Uncle Gomez…

 

Uditha Wijesena.

FOGSL

A video based on his involvement with FOGSL was presented at the monthly meeting that followed his demise. 

https://youtu.be/k1HoCYzBcW8