Antony Coomb (25 Sep 1944 - 28 Dec 2020)

Nicola, Josh and Jacob we feel your loss and offer you our shoulders to lean on. May you find comfort in the special times and the many beautiful memories you created together.
We are left speechless with grief and sadness at the loss of our dearest Uncle Manu. How are we supposed to write a tribute for a gentleman who in our eyes was an amazing, magnificent person with a gregarious personality and a gargantuan heart who showered his love and kindness on all he met. All the words in the world could not describe what we thought of Manu uncle. He leaves a piece of our hearts hollow and empty as he had made a comfortable home in our hearts for himself and no one can ever take his place. We have written poems in English and Tamil in memory of Manu uncle.
We enjoyed the many moments we shared together which are now enchanting timeless memories etched in our hearts. He spent hours on the phone with us and we got used to his many text messages. We loved hearing his stories and memories of those close to him. He was the person who brought everyone together and lit up any occasion with his presence. Over the years we saw many things together as one united family in heart and soul, between our respective nuclear families. Nicola, Josh and Jacob we hope, we will continue his legacy together for the future, as we did when he was alive.

Our love and condolences to all the family, friends, employees and acquaintances of Manu Uncle (Antony). May you find peace in memories of happier times and remember his smile fondly.
Our love always,

Elanko and Afsana

Hi Nicola so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts are with you and the boys at this time. Stay safe and hope to see you sometime soon. Your cousin Alison x

Deepest Sympathies to Family. So sad to lose 3 members in the same year. God grant peace and comfort to all. I remember Manu playing rugger {like his other bros, Mohan and Mathan) at St. Peter's, Colombo. As a winger well known as "Bullet". R.I.P. Manu.

Nicola & boys
Sorry to hear of the lost of Antony, good memories of our meetings socially & at work at Tompkin Road.
Regards Tony Murray family friend & neighbour.

Manu Uncle, I will be ever grateful for your kindness and generosity over the years, not just to me but to my whole family. You were the pillar of our family and brought a great deal of comfort when things got really hard. I will cherish the memories I do have. And also your support of me during the times I came to the UK. You will be missed. Nicola, I send you my love and condolences. That is to both you snd your boys. With all my love xxx

My first memory of Manu uncle was when he came to Sydney in 94. I had not really known him before this visit. I only knew him as Appa's older brother. The eldest Coomaraswamy. The uncle who lived in Surrey.

As a little girl, I was intrigued. He spoke with a refined polished accent. His manner was gentle and distinguished, his words frank but sincere and his smile tempered but genuine.

I instantly took a liking to him. And in no time at all, he was no longer just Appa's older brother the uncle from Surrey, but my beloved Manu uncle.

He was the most generous uncle, but above all he was generous with his time.

He travelled all the way to Australia to attend my coming of age ceremony and also my wedding.
Whenever we visited London, Manu uncle would take us under his wing. He treated us kids as his own and he took care of everything.

My fondest memories of Manu uncle were watching him in the kitchen making us breakfast or sitting around the dinner table listening to a lively debate.

As the years passed, I started to see the soft and sentimental side to my favourite uncle.

I recall in 2010, on our first trip to London as newly weds, Sudi and I arrived at Manu uncle's home and I joked about the portrait I had drawn of Manu uncle when I was 12. I had gifted it to him many years ago when he had visited us in Australia. Manu uncle disappeared for a moment and reappeared holding the very portrait which he said he had treasured all these years.

One of my biggest regrets was not being able to see Manu uncle on my last trip to London in 2014. But I will never forget his efforts to make our meeting happen. I would only be stopping over in London for 2 nights and unfortunately we were going to miss each other. On learning this, Manu uncle called me while we were in Edinburgh and he suggested he come to Heathrow on our return flight to Sydney as he might be able to catch us in transit. I knew there would be a good chance we would miss him as we wouldn't be in transit for long, but in that moment I realised how lucky I was to have such an uncle who would go to such lengths for even a brief reunion.

Manu uncle showed us the importance of family and helping others. Of holding yourself to the highest standards and living life with a sense of ambition and purpose.

Manu uncle, I will miss you dearly. I am so lucky to have been your niece. I will cherish all the beautiful memories. I will not say goodbye, because I know you have not left us, but will live on in the truest sense, in our hearts.

Your niece,
Radha

RIEP Mr Coomb you will be very missed 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Deepest sympathies to Nicola & the boys. We were very shocked & sorry to hear of the death of Antony . Since we got to know him through the project at Tompkin Road, he was always a gentleman to work for.He had strong views on what he wanted & how things had to be done. He will be greatly missed. Francie, Nuala & Family

Manu was a wonderful person, kind, generous and warm. He was a great family man and made much effort to maintain our strong family bonds, calling and messaging us and driving a long way to visit us when we were in London, in addition to inviting us to visit him, and to one memorable company Christmas party. Every time we met, we would always talk of going on holidays together or Manu and his family visiting us in Malaysia and I deeply regret that we did not have the chance to do this but I will always appreciate the memories of all the times we did spend together.
God bless Manu and God bless Nicola, Joshua and Jacob. Our family will always be here for you.

Our deepest condolences to Nicola and the boys and to Usha Maami and all the rest of the family Our memories of Manu take us back to those long ago sunny days in Colombo and with his passing he takes a little bit of all our histories with him. May he rest in peace after a long and well-lived life

Tribute to Uncle Manu
From Claire-Reka

I find myself here again. Our family find ourselves here again. In this very long year and yet short amount of time we have suffered so much loss. Another stab of grief. Another member of our family lost.

When I consider carefully, it is plane and obvious that Uncle Manu holds a special place in my life and in my heart.

He was my Uncle.
He was my Godfather.

In one of our last conversations Uncle Manu said to me “treat me like your own father”. I know, I too, held a special place in his heart but on hearing those words at that time, grieving from the loss of my father, I didn’t respond with the acknowledgment and gratitude I now wish I had.

When I came to the UK Uncle Manu did in fact treat me as his own. I now have a lifetime of memories that include him in so many ways. But actually it all started when I was born. On his second visit to the hospital he saw a couple leaving for home with a baby, he insisted they come back, adamant the baby they were taking was not their own. He was right. That baby was me. And that day I was returned to my parents and the life l am destined to lead. My parents entrusted him with the role of Godfather. A role he honoured. A similar role of guardian, he bestowed on me for Joshua. One I hope to honour as well as he did for me. Nicola, Joshua and Jacob, family I will always hold dear.

He made me feel loved and safe and welcome in his home and in his company, especially when as a child my own father was in Sri Lanka.

Reigate, for me, synonymous with Uncle Manu! Horse riding followed by Sunday lunch and cosy evenings in their Reigate cottage with Uncle Manu and Aunty Joan, was a ritual Mamma and I looked forward to.

Warm weekends spent running up and down and round and round the steep garden in Rutland and swimming in the freezing pool with my cousins and friends.

Aunty Joan beating Dadda at Scrabble in the lounge, Bijou and Sussie the dogs taking their comfortable place on the sofas, Uncle Manu cooking for us his go to favourite, stir fry noodles!

The offer of a trip to McDonald’s was a treat frequently suggested as he knew my smile was guaranteed.

It was Uncle Manu who paid, without question or hesitation, for me to go to LAMDA. He would playfully and with pride introduce me to people, saying, “this is my niece The Actress” a pride that truly meant a great deal to me, especially, as often I did not feel that sense of pride in myself.

These are just a few flashes of my many memories.

But there is more. Something I value greatly, that is beyond measure; the family love and kindness and genuine friendship he showed and shared with my Mamma, throughout the years and through all circumstances. When Uncle Manu passed, Mamma in her sadness said to me, that no matter what the situation he was always happy to hear from and see her and that is a rare and precious thing to find in life. In times of worry or need or crisis he would be the first person to whom she would turn, always met with the offer of help and support. Willingly, without question and with a welcoming open door and smile. In times of joy and triumph he would celebrate her victories.

We haven’t always shared the same views or come at life from the same perspective but I am so pleased that I once took the opportunity to really express my gratitude for the help, love and security he provided me. He however, wouldn’t let me continue, saying, “you don’t need to thank me, you are special and we are family”. These are words that will remain with me.

I am fortunate to have had him as my Uncle and Godfather.

Peace, Comfort, Love, and Joy are my prayers for him, wherever he may be.

With love,
Your niece,
Claire-Reka.

Mr Coomb our great friend and mentor. We have known Mr Coomb for over 15years. I graduated and he gave me my first job as a chef in Wray park and a family developed from there. Mr Coomb made me who I am today and I owe that to him and to God. He was never tired of giving me business ideas and he encouragement. He was my great mentor who listens to every plan I have and ensures I achieve them. I would spend hours in his house in Reigate going through my presentation and Mr Coomb is always patient helping and encouraging me. We organised so many events together he loves to have a good time.

We use to argue about who was the better chef because Mr Coomb will always interfere with my cooking and always wants to add his own ingredients. Few days before he died we were having a chat about the next event he wanted to put together for his great Mum.

Nothing was too small or too big for Mr Coomb to do, he will help anyone that needs help. He show me how to be a successful business woman and he is always proud of my achievements. I achieved a milestone in business after his death and I missed telling him. He was a major part of my success story. I shed tears writing this because we have lost a GEM. We know you are with the Angels because you were an ANGEL to many.

Your love for Nicola and your boys was commendable. A dotting husband and a great Dad.

To Nicola I want to say thank you for making Mr Coomb a happy man, am sure he died fulfilled because of your great support to him as a good wife. He never stops telling me how amazing you are to him and the boys and I want you to know that. Please be strong and carry on a great legacy that he left behind.

Am proud of the young man Josh is growing to be, Josh and Jacob will make their Dad proud I know this.

Mr Coomb you will never be forgotten myself and Funsho loves and appreciate you so much. Continue to rest in peace.

Funsho & Sade

We shall miss you. A great friend indeed. RIP MANU.