Family mourn ‘amazing dad’
Maganbhai Patel has been described by his family as 'amazing'
The family of a well-known Luton businessman who has died aged 80 have paid tribute to him.
Maganbhai Patel passed away on August 20 at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, and his funeral was held at Stopsley Crematorium on August 29.
The funeral procession included a Rolls Royce hearse, a horse and carriage and four black limousines.
Mr Patel, who lived in the Old Bedford Road area, moved to England 45 years ago.
The avid cricket fan worked for the United Counties bus company and ran a newsagents, Newsway in Leagrave Road, before moving into property development.
His daughter Bharti Allen, 50, said: “He had a vision over 40 years ago to rent out properties which was uncommon at that time.
“He was the first person of an ethnic minority background to work for United Counties. He came up against a lot of discrimination but he worked hard, working double or triple shifts to earn enough money to support his wife and five children.”
Ms Allen said her father was a familiar face around Luton and always went out of his way to look after the tenants who moved into his properties.
“He was so kind,” she said. “They said they will never forget the things my dad did for them.
“He would help people in the community with advice or helping them to fill out forms.
“People keep coming and knocking on the door, saying how sorry they are to have heard that he passed away.”
Mr Patel is survived by his wife, Laxmiben, son Mahendra, daughters Savita, Bharti, Kaushaliya and Aruna, nine grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
“He was an amazing dad and an amazing person,” said Bharti. “In our village back in India he had a library built next to the school, and dedicated it to the memory of his childhood friend Morarbhai Patel who had passed away.
“His friend had moved to New Zealand but he had never forgotten him.
“He was a very loyal person and liked nothing better than to have people around him.”
Mr Patel’s funeral service included his favourite songs and prayers, and seven white doves were released afterwards.
“We would like to thank Peter from Shires Funeral Service – he was like an angel sent to help us,” said Ms Allen.
“They provided a professional, sympathetic and very personal service.”
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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