Lebanese building designer Elias El Hajaly will always be remembered as a loving and determined individual.
Relatives and friends of the 51-year-old gathered at St Mary’s RC Church in St James yesterday morning to pay their last respects to Hajaly, who died on October 8 at Port of Spain General Hospital while being treated for gunshot wounds in August. 13, at The Residence nightclub, at One Woodbrook Place.
Several people, including businessmen Salim Boulos and Peter George Jnr and Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi, turned out to pay their last respects to Hajaly, father of two, Joy and Leony.
Boulos gave the congregation a brief history of Hajjal and how he went from studying architecture in Lebanon to working in Dubai and Liberia, to finally living in Trinidad and Tobago.
He recalled that Hajaly loved football, art, designs, his family and T&T.
“In 2007, the company he worked for moved its operations to Trinidad and Tobago and brought Eli here to us with it. He went to Trinidad and Tobago immediately and fell in love with the country, and T&T did the same to him. He loved it here and he loved everything about this place. I met him the same year I moved back to this country, and he was always a lovely individual and someone who was a pleasure to be around. Over the years our paths crossed many times and we had a special bond as we were both born in Lebanon. Eli was a true gentleman and he built a reputation as an impeccable architect and ethical businessman,” Boulos said.
He added that he would always remember Hajaly as a “true friend” who was giving and protecting everyone around him.
“The only thing he would ask of those around him is to be the same as he was – to be true in your heart. Today I stand with my fraternity of gentlemen, all of you gathered here today and those who are not, devastated and shocked by the loss of our brother. Eli will be missed and never forgotten,” Boulos said.
Businesswoman Shivonne Sammy recalled that Hajaly was welcomed by her family and was a pillar whenever there were family gatherings.
She described him as a “protector” who always looked after everyone whenever there was a gathering, or on some occasions the group went out.
“The 51 ingredient lord who left us at the age of 51, rest in eternal peace my brother,” Sammy said.
George described Hajaly as a “quintessential Trinity.”
“He loved everything about Trinidad and it’s interesting how he ended up here. There was no aspect of our society that he did not love. From carnivals to business to cricket – something he didn’t understand at first. “He loved to work hard and he loved to have fun,” George said.
He said Hajaly accomplished “a lot” in Trinidad and Tobago and would be missed.
“We will never know what happened that fateful night and those questions will always remain. But I know those questions…will never be enough even if he answers them, because after all he is no longer with us. But we have those memories we would have made with Eli to hold on to. And as hard as it was to know the pain our friend and brother was going through since it happened, it gave us time to reflect, and while there is now closure, it’s good to see how close he was to so many people. This is very hard for us to swallow and my brother Eli, you will always be missed,” said George.
Background
The incident that claimed the life of Hajaly also claimed that of businessman Nikhil Luthra, 34, of Pelican Road, Lange Park, Chaguanas.
A third person, Roger Ramdeo, 34, from Princes Town, was also shot that night and is the sole survivor of the incident.
According to police reports, around 2 a.m. on August 13, the three friends were chilling in a cabana outside The Residence, at One Woodbrook Place, when a lone gunman climbed a wall and opened fire on the seated group. on a table, before running off stage.
Luthra, Hajaly and Ramdeo were all shot and taken to St James Medical Complex, where they were treated before being transferred to Port of Spain General Hospital.
Luthra, co-owner of Blue Sky Shipping, died while being treated.
Police said the suspect’s vehicle was observed parked near the club for at least an hour before the incident, leading investigators to believe it was a targeted attack.
No one has been arrested in connection with the murders.
