Mathematician. Musician. Mentor. ‘King Momo’. ‘Mr Mayonnaise’.
Maurice Albert Menezes (Uncle Maurice to me and countless others) donned many hats and shone through each of them, everyday. The one closest to his heart was the hat he wore within his family — a kind sibling to seven Menezes’, a doting husband to Maria Menezes, a phenomenal father to Nicholas and Gerard Menezes and an affectionate grandfather to Xara, Adam and Adhyaa.
Armed with a zest for life, Maurice came to Kolkata in 1967 and spent 36 long years at St James’ School — first as a teacher and then later as the Vice-Principal. Even though Maurice was a mathematics teacher, most students fondly remember him as the man behind the ivories that clolored every morning assembly and major school production. He was an active part of Fatima Shrine Church and President of the Goan Association of Bengal for several years.
‘Find a reason to celebrate each day’ — was Maurice’s mantra. On his birthday, family and friends celebrate his life with a few tributes, after the music maestro passed away on January 7, 2022.
Maurice and Maria with Nicholas (right) and Gerard Menezes.
‘Spending my life with him gave me my best memories!’
Maurice met his wife Maria when he came to Kolkata from Chennai in 1967 and went on to spend 50 terrific years with her. Their timeless tie-in gave Maria many a memory. “Maurice was warm, kind, loving and had a great sense of humour. Meeting him, getting to know him and marrying him gave me my best memories. He had a great relationship with music and the Lord and I admired that he introduced morning assembly as a ritual in every institution he was acquainted with, whether it was in India or abroad. And his morning assemblies always included an element of music!” shares Maria.
Maurice and Maria on their wedding day
‘He brought out the best in everyone’
“What was incredible about dad was that he never got angry with anyone. I remember when I was in Class IX, I didn’t do very well in Mathematics and English. He knew I did badly because I didn't study, so instead of getting upset he taught me the next term and I ended up getting 88 per cent. This is an instance that has stayed with me. He always believed in motivating people,” says Nicholas. Maurice had an uncanny knack of moulding and motivating people in a manner which always brought out the best in them. “Dad had a way of calming the perfect storm. He was the epitome of patience and understanding and left us with memories that are engraved in us. His love for god, family and life will always be inspirational,” smiles Gerard.
‘The people who knew my grandpa were the luckiest people in the world’
Maurice left an indelible mark on his grandchildren — Xara, Adam and Adhyaa. “We would regularly sit at the piano together simply playing a few chords, learning new music or admiring the work of George Shearing. Grandpa was always able to promote a love for learning. He was a man with silver in his hair, and gold in his heart and will forever be loved and missed,” says Xara. Adam shares, “The people who knew my grandpa were the luckiest people in the world. He considered tenacity the most important virtue for a successful life and he consciously followed it to become the great man that he was. My favourite memory of him is when we were working on a speech together and he taught me that one must practise until it’s perfect. He gave the speech with perfection and inspired everyone in the audience, especially myself.”
‘A quiet stare – that’s all he needed really!’
A true devotee, Maurice spent a major part of his life conducting the choir at Fatima Shrine in Entally and shaping young aspiring musicians in the parish. “Maurice’s music ministry at Fatima Shrine, spanning the last decades, taught many, even our current choir, many aspects of singing and music. Though always kind and patient, any distractions during practice earned us a quiet stare and that’s all that was needed really! He would sing 'Via Dolorosa' on Good Friday and that brought a deeper honour to the Lord’s Passion and Holy Cross. When he sang the hymn at the Stations of the Cross on the Holy Land Pilgrimage, he brought us to tears,” recall a few friends. “Maurice was a big man with an even bigger heart! I loved his humour, humility and anonymity while helping others,” remarks Christopher Godfrey, a dear friend.
Maurice spent a major part of his life conducting the choir at Fatima Shrine in Entally and shaping young aspiring musicians of the parish
‘He came into my life as a teacher but left as a dear friend’
A friend first, mentor second and pedagogue never, is how most of St James’ School’s alumni would describe ‘Mr Mayonnaise’. He had a unique ability to put anyone at ease, instantly, usually drawing in on a witty wisecrack or a clever pun. “Uncle Maurice was a close family friend and my teacher. He was my mentor and soon became a fatherly figure. I always looked up to him and went to him for help. If I ever had a tough situation, I’d go to him because he could handle the most stressful situations,” says Amitesh Roy, St James batch of 2000.
‘The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach’ — an age-old saying that led to a bunch of boys from the batch of 1982 becoming dear friends of ‘Mr Mayonnaise’.
“Thanks to Mr Menezes we got to relish a tasty meal everyday in school. A few of us would steal this boy's lunch everyday and when his family complained, Mr Menezes helped us out by saying, ‘This is a huge compliment because you’re a wonderful cook! If you don’t mind please send a little extra so the rest of the boys can enjoy your food as well!’ So, we owe him two years of good food in school along with everything else he’s done for us after school — from mentoring and guiding us to teaching us to hold our liquor!” laughs Pratap Daryanani, one of the foodies of the batch of 1982, whose children too hold firm spots in the Maurice Menezes fan club.
‘He imbibed in me the maths of music’
‘Every morning Mr Menezes’ piano notes and deep voice would set our day during assembly,’ recalls Himadri Mukherjee, St James batch of 2002
Maurice was a music maestro. “Every morning Mr Menezes' piano notes and deep voice would set our day during assembly. He was one of the initiators of the intra school ‘East Meets West Talent Contest’, which gave musicians the opportunity to get on stage and into the limelight. I have been the Raja of the East (Winner) thrice and this contest was the reason I perform nationally and internationally. He imbibed in me the maths of music, which was a building block of my career. Mr Menezes has left a mark on many lives and his legacy will remain with every Jacobean, forever,” shares Himadri Mukherjee, batch of 2002.
‘King Momo’
Maurice and Maria reveling in Goa!
The zeal of Goa’s ‘King Momo’ was present in every bone of Maurice – his jaunty personality mirrored ‘King Momo’ to the tee. “Uncle Maurice was always a popular choice for ‘King Momo’ at our carnival celebrations. He always portrayed him with such panache. He’s led our Carnival parade here in Kolkata for many years just like the way it is in Goa. His declaration of the Konkani phrase ‘Eat, drink and make merry’ is a memory many fondly remember and will never forget,” smiles Aruna Gomes, a close family friend.
The ebullience of this music maestro will live on forever.
Happy birthday, Uncle Maurice! Here’s to celebrating you.