Joan Mahfood (right), widow of Derrick Mahfood, celebrates his life with son Mark Mahfood (second right), grandson Nicholas Mahfood (third right) during the veteran businessman's funeral, held at the University of the West Indies Chapel in Mona, St Andrew, yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The soothing sounds of a live orchestra welcomed and comforted friends, family and well-wishers who packed both floors of the University of the West Indies Chapel in Mona, St Andrew, yesterday morning to pay their last respects to Derrick Linden Mahfood.

Mahfood has been described by his family as "a man of great compassion, sensitivity and generosity".

The veteran businessman, father, grandfather, role model and mentor, who was affectionately called 'Baba' by his grandchildren, died at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, Florida on September 2 after a two-year battle with cancer. Prime Minister Bruce Golding and other members of the Government were among those in attendance at the funeral.

Thriving legacy

Mahfood, who was an inspiration to many young entrepreneurs, leaves behind a thriving legacy of landmark developments, including a number of plazas in the Corporate Area, real estate and construction ventures, as well as a chain of popular restaurants which brought an exotic and unique variety to the Jamaican dining experience.

It was a service of song, as a result of an effort to celebrate Mahfood's life rather than mourn his death, and also to honour the wishes of the deceased to have "many lively songs of praise" sung at his funeral.

Indeed, there were songs that had those in attendance swaying while singing to the accompaniment of the violin. Yet, it was the beautiful, tear-jerking duets and solos that touched the hearts of those present.

Emptiness

"The emptiness I feel is too painful to express," said a shaken Suzanne Mahfood, daughter of the deceased. "He was a courageous man, even in the face of death. He was fearless and, to his last days, even in failing health, I never heard him complain. God blessed us with a legend for a father."

Derrick Mahfood leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Joan; sons Ricky and Mark, daughters Debbie and Suzanne, daughters-in-law Sandra and Margaret, sons-in-law Andrew and Mark, grand-children Luke, Joanna, Anthony, Peter, Isabella, Nicholas, Matthew, Sarah, Jeremy, Stephen, Noah, Jessica, Anna, Samantha and Daniel; brothers Maurice and Kenneth.