.JPG)
Dear Anita,
Farewell Tribute to A Very Special Friend Allan Rooke
Please share this blog with your sister Sneh, brother Daniel,
your Relatives, Special friends and all Musicians.
Accept my Special gift Web/Blogspot dedicated to my/our very special friend
Allan Rooke
To commence, I must compliment you for giving your dearest husband Allan a Royal send-off commencing with a lovely Church Ceremony conducted by Fr. Patrick and Fr. Gerard followed by a great reception held at the Grange Restaurant with a fabulous buffet lunch and drinks flowing, in the company of your very special friends and relatives and a close team of musicians from my dance band "Black Velvet".
As Allan was a very special friend to me and all the members of my family, “The De Souza Clan", Betty, Benny, Winston, Lisette and Yvette, as my special gift I have set up a special Web & Blogspot for Allan titled “Farewell Tribute to Allan Rooke” to be viewed on web page www.allanrooke.com or on https://allanrooke.blogspot.com
Thanks to you Anita for proposing we host a Musical Tribute for Allan as Allan just loved his music and guitar playing. Denzyl certainly did a grand job producing and directing his Musical Tribute at the reception.
Anita thank you for allowing me to take photographs covering Allan's Funeral which has helped me put together a blog titled 'Farewell Tribute to Allan Rooke"
Anita you had requested me to record me playing an Instrumental on my saxophone and speak a few words about your loving husband which I failed to do at the reception as I unfortunately just broke down when speaking. I hope to do this later.
To conclude, my very special thanks to Denzyl for all his hard work fronting the musicians who played at Allan's reception, with my personal thanks to Kenny, Denzyl, Julian, Clive, Lisette, Yvette & Melanie who provided the live music.
Anita take care and convey our best wishes to Sneh, Daniel and all your good friends.
Always remember Allan was my very special friend not only to me but also my entire family, as my children grew up with Allan as though he was one of our family members. I could write a full book about Allan but happy Denzyl had said it all in his Eulogy, copy attached below.
Love & best wishes from Benny & Betty & All Musicians who played at 'Allan's Musical Tribute, and musicians who know Allan very well especially Ashley from Australia who has forwarded 2 great songs added to this web/blog.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Church Service held at
St Elphege's R C Church - Wallington SM6 9AY
Allan
Thank you for the unforgettable times we shared together,
your laughter, your sense of humour and your desire to have the
last say will always remain with me.
Your spirit to rock and roll and play the guitar boogie was truly a work of art.
The dance floor will never be the same again for me.
Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best, without your support I could not have achieved my goals.
You were blessed with talent and perfection, I have learnt so much from you.
Above all I will miss your unconditional love
Without you in my life, there remains a void.
Rest in Peace
Anita
***
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way which
you always used. Put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Pray, smile, think of me, and pray for me.
Let my name be the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect, without trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
just round the corner. All is well
Allan
************************
from 'The De Souza Clan'
BENNY - BETTY - WINSTON - LISETTE & YVETTE
&
Allan's Very Special Musician friends
DENZYL - JULIAN - KENNY & MELANIE
Organised and Conducted by
Denzyl Sequeira
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Click on the photos to watch Video clips
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Benny's 1st band 'The Outsiders' in 1964 when
Allan, Denzyl, Benny & Albert were young bachelors.
1st Gig in Earls Court.
SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP - BENNY'S VERY SPECIAL FRIENDS
Allan Rooke brought into our lives a special musicians bond where we first 5 musicians from my band 'The Outsiders' became special friends sharing our friendship with all family members from the early 60's until this date.
I could write a book about my great special friend Allan who introduced me to all those musicians mentioned below I call the 'Big 5"
THE BOND - THE BIG 5
Denzyl & Pam - Allan & Anita - Ashley & Kate
Julian & Heather - Benny & Betty
(May our friendship last forever).
= = = = = = = = = = =
Allan will not forget our great times as musicians performing in every major hotels across the country to include the Hiltons and Grosvenor House besides others.
Our great Cruising days on P&O Luxury Cruise Liners. Our Canadian super tour performing at 3 major venues entertaining over 500 guests, and our LIVE performance on the Canadian Toronto TV Network.
Our yearly bookings on the Isle of Man and all the Private venues.
New Year's dances at Alexandra Palace for Goan Overseas Association.
Allan Rooke Lead guitarist on my LP album 'On the Road with Black Velvet'
Allan will never forget me when we talk about REUTERS, one of the greatest companies in the UK we were proud to work for, and every year also booked to play for Reuters Dinner dances.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
ALLAN'S EULOGY - 3/11/2022
by Denzyl Sequeira
My name is Denzyl Sequeira. I have been a friend of Allen’s for over 60 years – we were in school together from the age of 14 or 15. It is an honour to have this opportunity to tell you about our long history, which started on the Island of Mombasa, Kenya in East Africa.
The challenge I have today, is how to summarize in 10 minutes (Father Patrick’s strict instructions) a friendship of over 60 years. Well I will try.
Allan and I went to the local school and enjoyed what many would consider now an idyllic childhood. Not only did we have the pleasure of growing up together but we also both came to England as impressionable 18 year olds in the mid sixties. Allan came here before I did and settled in Wimbledon, I followed about a year later.
Before leaving for the UK Allan and I played regularly in a band for a local hotel. This was my first band but not for Allan, who I might add was a much more accomplished musician. Anyway, this was an exciting time for us and our love for music and guitar playing was the bond that was always central to our relationship. You will see from the photograph taken at the Nyali Beach Hotel, how youthful we looked with a full head of hair. In fact, we used to tease Allan about the comb he always carried around with him – something that we would not consider (too sissy like). Anita tells me that to the very end Allan carried a comb and was very particular about his hair. I must say that although we teased him, we all secretly admired the Elvis Presley look he managed to achieve.
When I arrived in Wimbledon on my own, I was homesick, with no job and living at the YMCA. Allan and his family were already settled in Wimbledon. I was so grateful to be welcomed by the Rooke family, whenever I visited their home. Often I would spend an evening with Allan, his sisters and Dad and have a meal with them. Thank you Allan for your kind generosity but also relevant, that of your Dad. You had just lost your mother and your Dad was trying to provide for 5 children, settling into a new job and country and still you and your family were able to accommodate me. In typical modest fashion when I reminded Allan on several occasions about this and said how grateful I was, he smiled gently and said nothing.
As I was jobless and soon realised my parents who were still in Mombasa, could not support me, I knew I had to find a job. Once again, Allan came to my rescue and suggested I get a job with the company he was working for temporarily. This I did for the princely sum of £10.00 per week.
-2-
I must say that although money was tight we enjoyed the mutual benefit of having to face the different and new experiences together and marvel at the British way of life. The two hours we spent on the train to get to North London and back, were ideal for catching up and having a good laugh about the strange British and in particular their food.
Our first surprise was to note that unusually the British ate toads. Yes, how else would you describe “TOAD IN THE HOLE” on the restaurant menu. Then there were the eggs specially laid in Scotland – “SCOTCH EGGS”. Our biggest surprise came from our choice of pudding, which we were told you must eat to stay warm in the winter. Perfect reason, so we once ordered “YORKSHIRE PUDDING” – yes from the North and a pudding must be perfect to warm our insides.
Of course, we were amused that “SPOTTED DICK”, sorry Father Patrick was not a naughty word. I won’t really go on about Cornish people putting cream in their tea.
After our temporary jobs Allan went on to join Commercial Cable and later Reuters. Our mutual friend Benny had already joined these companies and introduced Allan to them. Allan had a very successful career at Reuters – a leading international News Agency from which he retired in 1996.
There was a period as reflected in the photographs in the booklet you will see at the wake , when Allan pursued his musical interests and I was not part of this. Fortunately, I can say that prior to dumping me we did do some gigging together, which we both enjoyed very much.
I recalled that on one occasion Allan sidled up to my wife Pam and told her under his breath “You know Pam, Denzyl was a “Cocky little Bugger” when we were in Mombasa. Fortunately, I was married by then, so Pam already knew I was a “Cocky Big Bugger Now”.
During this period Allan played with very many excellent musicians, some of whom you see here today. He also accompanied Benny’s band Black Velvet
on many P & O Cruises, playing as a house band. Sadly, I was never asked, clearly I failed the audition!
Allan’s R & R dancing was amazing. He was so cool apparently doing little but like all experts producing spectacular results. It was always a pleasure watching him dance with Anita . Sadly I have to report that whilst my wife avoided dancing with me she was much too enthusiastic about dancing with Allan. Those of you who have seen me dance will realise why !!
Allan married Anita in 1985 and it was a time when we were all involved in our careers and family. However, I am happy to say that as things settled down we all enjoyed many dinner parties at Allan & Anita’s lovely home in Wallington. I can say with confidence that Allan cannot take any credit for the culinary delights we experienced in Wallington.
- 3 -
Anita has been a rock at Allan’s side. She has bestowed her love and caring over many years, after Allan was diagnosed with a kidney disease. I have never heard her complain about the obvious difficulty of having to travel several times a week to access the dialysis treatment. Allan clearly adored her and called her his angel and was always very concerned about her welfare.
Anita you now have the challenge of facing life without Allan but on behalf of myself and his other many friends, may I take this opportunity to thank you.
You have told me that music was Allan’s passion, so I thought it appropriate to end with a quote from that the great black musician, Louis Armstrong .
Louis Armstrong is very relevant, as he came to Mombasa to give a concert. It was the first concert for both Allan and myself. He said:
“MUSICIANS DON’T RETIRE THEY STOP WHEN THERE IS NO MUSIC IN THEM”
I believe Allan knew this and went on to see his Mum & Dad and play with all his musician friends who had gone before him.
RIP Allan and enjoy the gig.
Denzyl
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
MUSICIANS PAGE.
Below Julian, Allan, Ashley & Benny at Ben & Bet's home.
Band Session at Benny & Betty's
Julian - Allan - Benny & Ashley
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Dear Allan,
You You were truly a Special
One in your Attributes so this is our little tribute to you on this Day In Life. You had a mind of your OWN Never a foul thought or word from you, Never prying into other people's hearsay, No partaking in Gossip, and from Johnny you are commended as a special guitarist Cherishing the times Johnny had the pleasure to try to sing to your superb backing.
You are now in a passing thru phase, as you journey, thru the Tomorrow that never came with us But taken by the Almighty to be welcomed with choirs of Angels, With their Wings of Salvation As you pass thru St Peter's Gate, where there will be many waiting to welcome you and where we all hope to join you when it is our turn with The Almighty on High !!!
For life is a phase with it's good times, bad times, times of sickness, times of sufferings times of pleasure, and times of Sorrow…... We send this with Love from your friends,
Johnnie & Marie
From my sister Yvette (Muise) De Souza - Nova Scotia Canada
Hi Ben,
Mombasa was such a long time ago…. All I remember of Alan was that he played in a young band called CONNY KITT AND THE PIRATES with Llama, Leslie, Joey and Conny. Their rivals were the SHIFTAS with Benny Mascarehnas and Polly Dias and others. As Social Secretary of the GI, I hired them a lot for our dances
They were all very good and vibrant youngsters, and it was my pleasure to give them exposure and encouragement. I was Mombasa’s ’ First Lady ‘ Social Secretary of the Goan Institute, ever. Ha.
I am so sorry to hear of the demise of Alan. He was a good guy and an excellent guitarist. He is now in heaven in the bosom of our Lord. May Allan Rest In Peace and May Perpetual Light shine upon him.
Please convey my sincerest condolences to Alan’s wife, Anita and family. They were blest to have you and Betty for friends.
God bless.
Love.
Yvette (Benny’s sister)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Hi Benny and Betty,
Just a short note to reflect on the passing of our very dear friend Alan Rooke.
We heard from Julian last week about this sad occasion and I have contacted Anita with our thoughts.
He was a great and dear friend and whilst contact with him these past years has been difficult I feel confident we have been a part of each others thoughts.
Anyway, how are you guys? I do hope you are keeping well. You are often in our thoughts and prayers.
Do take care and look after yourselves. Kate and I are very well and looking forward to the Aussie Summer.
Love to you both
Ashley & Kate
= = = = = = = =
I regret that I do not have anything remotely linked to Allen that would be recognised as such. What I do have are a HUGH BUNDLE of really wonderful memories as that man was a great and loyal friend.
I have had a great deal of personal sorrow in recent years at not being able to talk with him however I am sure we will meet again Upstairs in the not too distant future…guitars will then be blazing.
Anyway, I sure am looking forward to your website.
Hope and pray that you and Betty are well and staying safe there in Worcester Park …We often think of you all.
God Bless
Ashley & Kate
= = = = = = = = = = = = =
Too many condolence cards and messages received but I am only copying a few at random.
No comments:
Post a Comment