Grand send-off for Motilal Moonan

HIS trademark was “Moonan moves Mountains.” He was also tipped as a possible President of Trinidad and Tobago under the UNC. For Motilal Moonan, that never materialised. The popular businessman died last Thursday from a heart attack. Yesterday, he was cremated after a funeral service at his Valsayn home. There were many dignitaries, friends, relatives and even past and present employees who turned out to pay their last respects to Moonan at his funeral service under Hindu rites. Moonan, 74, was eulogised by his nephew Dr Sankar Moonan as a “man of vision, who lived his dreams.” He was also described by Pundit Ugesh Maharaj, the family pundit, as a man who “lived a full life and even though he was born in very lowly circumstances he became leaders of men.”

Born in Ecclesville, Rio Claro, Moonan came from humble beginnings and rose to be a leader among men. Moonan, who founded the Moonan Group of Companies in 1959 with the co-operation of his dedicated and loyal staff, developed one of the largest contracting and engineering firms in Trinidad and Tobago. A former UNC senator and past president of the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association, Moonan was revered for being a committed family man who displayed humble qualities. His secret to success — uniting people into one organisation by practicing love, understanding and good communication.

He had a desire to advance himself as well as others and was considered to be blessed with thousands of employees. In his business practice he was esteemed to be a man who saw everyone alike and did not discriminate. Moonan made his base at Streatham Lodge Road, Tunapuna where he slowly started his business. According to Dr Anna Mahase “he became an entrepreneur who knew no bounds.” She was speaking on how Moonan paved and donated the walkway connecting St Augustine Girls’ High School to the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. The walkway was christened the Motilal Moonan Walkway. He leaves behind his wife Vilma, two sons Mahendra and Manoj and daughter, Vindra.

Dignitaries and friends who came to pay their last respects included Minister of Public Administration Dr Lenny Saith, UNC Member of Parliament Winston Dookeran, Dr Sastri Moonan, Dr Sankar Moonan — past president of the Medical Association, former Speaker of the House — Occah Seepaul, Naipaul Sookdeo, Dr Kamal Rampersad — managing director of Caribbean Heart Care Medcorp Ltd (Mt Hope), Beverly Drayton — personal secretary to Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday and Madame Justice Jean Permanand. According to Dr Mahase, “he walked with kings but never lost the common touch.”