One of TT’s oldest Syrian businessmen dies

Gabriel Ibrahim Mansoor, 86, was one of the oldest Syrian businessmen in Trinidad and Tobago, up until his death at his Woodbrook home on the weekend. Mansoor, owner of G Mansoor and Son on Queen Street, Port-of-Spain arrived from Syria as a young man in 1937 in search of a promising future. He joined his brothers in the “kashee” trade eventually establishing a business together. In the eulogy delivered by his son, Abraham, at the funeral service at St Finbar’s RC Church on Wednesday, the younger Mansoor described his father as a very humble individual who enjoyed the simple things in life - a few full plates of food, his weekly visit to Alma the roti lady and late night card games with his old friends. “He was always protective of his children, always provided for us and never forgot his homeland, contributing to establishing the only school and renovating the church in his birth village of An El Berdi,” said Abraham.

The younger Mansoor also noted that his father was a determined and sometimes stubborn person as exemplified by his will and determination to re-build the business after it was gutted in the fires of 1990. He said: “Already in his seventies, it was a courageous effort to start over.” A mass in Mansoor’s honour was celebrated by his family back in Syria at the same time of his funeral service. The Syrian/Lebanese choir provided beautiful singing during the service. Debbie Nahous in particular did a moving rendition of Schubert’s Ave Maria during the post-Communion period.  Readings were done by two of Mansoor’s grandchildren, Graeme and Siobhan Rampersad. Later the burial took place at the Mucurapo Cemetery.