THE first Indian to move into Maldon has died at the age of 80 years old.
Kali Gazi, who came to the town with his wife nearly 50 years ago from Mumbai, died at Broomfield Hospital after falling ill with pneumonia on March 9.
Granddaughter Zenobia Hoare said: "Our granddad was a scary man – even our mum's teachers were in awe of him. But he wasn't scary really. He was just a fiercely independent, proud and stern man who looked after his family to the very end. We will miss him very much."
Mr Gazi first arrived in the UK in the 1950s to study electrical engineering at Norwood College, London.
He returned to India for a short spell to court and marry his young wife Zarin.
But the couple returned in 1964 to set up home in Essex so Mr Gazi could build a career with Marconi.
Mel Willis, a neighbour of Mr Gazi's in Essex Road, Maldon, said: "Kali was always a good academic and took the opportunity to make his mark as a person coming from India to England, by mixing with different people."
While working as a technical engineer at Marconi, in Chelmsford, Mr Gazi quickly became well-known in the Dengie as an active member of local groups.
These included Wentworth School PTA, Maldon Carnival and the Horticultural Society.
Len Wakeling, chairman of the MHHS, said: "Kali was a highly respected member of Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural Society for over 25 years and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
"As treasurer for many years, he worked tirelessly for the society and was responsible for reorganising the society's accounts and putting them in good order.
"He loved his garden, greenhouse and fruit trees."
Mr Gazi, who leaves behind his wife, three children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 20 years ago, and became an active member of the Parkinson Society.
One of his friends, Ron Dixon, who regularly drove him to meetings said: "Kali was always a courteous man and we very much appreciated his membership of the local Maldon branch, which he supported to the very best of his ability."
Following his death last weekend, just a few months after his 50th wedding anniversary, his family organised a burial to be held at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey just four days later, in accordance with his Zorastrian religious beliefs.
