Dear family we come together in this moment of great pain.  In this time of great emotional questioning as hard as it may be let us find joy in this time.  Joy that we were all given this opportunity to experience the spirit of the man we call Uncle, Brother, Cousin, Grandfather, Father, Daddy Alex.  Let us each hold on to the joyous moments that we were each able to spend together laughing, dancing, singing, praising and learning. We thank you for all the memories made while celebrating weddings, birthdays, graduations, holidays and family.  We are thankful and joyful of the countless conversations we've had over the years, may his words of wisdom carry us over the rest of our lives until we meet with him again. 

Although we all are currently experiencing this temporary pain, may the memories of this Angel named Alex that you provided us with for 81 years warm our mind, body and soul. Our Uncle Alex is no longer suffering from pain, taking medication, doctors’ appointments, needles, etc. any more.  We are grateful that the Lord has now accepted one of his angels back home into heaven. As you fit Uncle Alex for his wings, please deliver a message from us to him, "Mr. Alex Kamara, we love you, we miss you, we are thankful for the time we had with you and we will eventually join you. Until then, please never stop smiling! "

Family, may our temporary pain not prevent us from enjoying the best of what Our Alex has provided the family.  Let his love, wisdom and honour carry us and inspire us to live a life worthy of a tear when you are no longer here, but more importantly a life that inspires others to live a life worthy of God's celebration.  Let's not mourn his death but celebrate his life, Our Alex has now returned to our ancestors and has returned to his creator to rest and celebrate a new life. 

May these words provide comfort in this time of rebirth and reassignment for Our Alex, GOD'S faithful servant!

AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN --Tiresias McCall

You are now THERE and we are HERE.

SO tell me, what do you see from THERE?

And I still hear you say "'Kobi, Hang in THERE".

Surely THEY ALL rallied round to WELCOME you

Through Heaven's open door.

Rest in Peace ABK.

Kobi Hunter - November 30 2019

If all the falls were one fall what a great fall it could be! You will all agree with me that this single fall is certainly a great fall.

My wife and l were driving home last evening in the Northern Hemisphere, when l heard so many messages popping into my phone and l said to her, that's the why don't like joining social media groups as they are so annoying.

As the messages rapidly continued bulleting in, l had no option but to check ready to delete so that the life span of my armset would be prolonged. Upon having a glance at it there was an indication of over 100 messages on the Sieromco-Rutile Forum within seconds, announcing the death of Uncle Alex or ABK as he was fondly called.

I turned to my wife with teared eyes and asked why all these worldly hassles and hustles of life, telling her that the cold and cruel hands of the inevitable Uncle Death have snatched my secret mentor, Alex Bai Kamara. A man whom l had admired most, from the very day I set eyes on him at Sierra Rutile and l had always wanted to be like him in many ways.

His devotion to the mines and dedication to work, left me for a very long time with the perception that this gigantic and charismatic elderly man was the owner of the company little did l know he was also an employee.

I could still figure him in my mind's eyes in the early 90s swiftly moving at the Plant Site in his blue jeans with his brown Toetector. His coloured Rutile Lacoste neatly tucked in with a handful of Parker pens outwardly fixed on his t-shirt’s chest. He was all around to see that everything was running on oily wheels, ensuring effective productivity to exceed target in production. He could drive to dredge and back within a twinkle of an eye. He would check at the dry mill, the power house, geology, the drawing office all at a goal to see that supervisors were on top of situations.

On his way to his Mobimbi resident during lunch time or after work Alex Kamara would suddenly re-route to the plant site to put things in order.

Even when socialising at the Mobimbi Bar Uncle Alex would abruptly abandoned his drink, jump into his Hillux and head for the plant site or the dredge to fix things up at any time of the night.

His driver said that Alex spent more time in his office than his house noting that he was a workaholic.

He was feared by lazy and deceitful workers especially drivers who used company vehicles for their personal gains and worker who syphoned company properties.

Thought very disciplined and no non-sense personality he was liked and highly respected by majority, from plant staff to senior staff.

He was away at one time when some groups of disgruntled plant staff went on strike and work came to a standstill for a couple of days.  All efforts to calm them down was fruitless. On his arrival and intervention with other colleagues- kamoh keili and Sahr Wonday  the workers saw reasons and went back to work.

ABK wasn't a man of too much words but when he talked people listened and he was a man of his words. Alex combined work with play and fun. His best sport was Tennis which he played during his leisure. It was also fascinating to see this colossus, well-built magnificent man rocking to his favourite music of yester-years during senior staff parties and dinners at the Mobimbi Community Center.

In order to keep the Sierra Rutile family working team together after the invasion of the company ABK and his family friends and partners, AKK and Tani established CEMMATs which again brought many of his Rutile colleagues under one umbrella. According to him, it was not much of a profit-making organisation but rather to elevate people from their trauma. This is another confirmation of his humanity and concern for all as mentioned in most of the tributes that continue to shower in about my mentor. Indeed, Alex had put smiles on the faces of so many.

During my first year in university, I didn't get the Rutile Grant in Aid neither vacation job. When l told Uncle Alex about it the following day Maada Kangbai and his personnel staff were busy looking for me to start my vacation job and my name was included on the Rutile   Scholarship list.

He had always said to me whenever we met, "Paco my Barman, I am following your journey keep it up."

If news of his death came to me yesterday like the hammering of a five inches nail in ears l wonder how Junior, Bull and Saweda are feeling. Then my mind went to Tani and Kamoh Keili with whom he had been together for over four decades, the Sieromco and Rutile family!  All l can say is the usual, take heart and do not mourn much. Your father, your friend and my mentor had lived his life to the fullest, every second of his 80 years on mother earth were healthily utilised to serve his country and humanity as he had said to Alusine Jalloh that he has lived a good life. Uncle Alex died well fulfilled. He left his foot print on the sands of time. His life was gentle and the elements so mixed him that Rutile -Sieromco family, CEMMATs group, friends, relatives and Mama Salone would always remember him.

Sleep my great mentor, sleep well and take your rest. Because of your virtue l'll ever continue to emulate you and l have no doubts that you are in the precious hands of Father Ibrahim in heaven, where you have met other Rutile fallen heroes -Kamara Bundor, Albert Manley, Ben Joe Amara, Joe Senessi, your senior driver- Daniel Musa, Uncle Tunde, Sheku Kawa, Mike Johnson, my own real brother from a different mother and father - Mohamed kamoh Bockarie fondly known as MAN KAMOH, the list goes on. May all your souls and those of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace.

Oh Alex,

What sad news you sent me yesterday but after a short while it I remembered the literally thousands of good bits that were a part of our lives when we knew your Dad while we were all together for those ten wonderful years we spent in your country.

I have told many people that he was one of the finest men I was lucky enough to know; for me he was the most honest and loyal person to myself and the company, that it is possible to imagine. There were some really difficult times early on when we were trying to get the mine up and running smoothly and no doubt many instances when he must have wondered about this geologist guy that was in charge but if so, he never, not once, expressed them to me or anyone else.

As for you, known to us as Bull, and Saweda, my girls often speak of you super guys. I was interested to learn that Alex was almost exactly six years younger than me (July 4th) and initially surprised that you have reached the big five o , but then my girls are about the same; how time has flown.

Your father left a great legacy; I am sure that your Dad’s contribution to Sherbro had a lot to do with my company thinking it was a worthwhile venture for Bethlehem to get into; that’s the loyalty bit.

Alex and I were a great doubles partnership and that was largely because the spread of his arms on a six foot eight inch frame made him impassable at the net; mind you the President and the Chief Justice did beat us at the “Royal” Courts during the farewell ceremony for Jann and me at the ceremony the President put on for us on ourfinally leaving your country.

Thank you, Alex, for telling me of your Fathers passing and for sharing the beautifully written eulogy you posted on Facebook.

We also have a saying similar to your ”Nar big - - etc” and it is that “A mighty Kauri has fallen”.

The Kauri tree is one of the world’s biggest tree species; especially appropriate as regards Alex K.

Big shoes for you to fill Mate, but it looks like you’re coping pretty well.

Please pass on the best out best wishes to Saweda and the family.

Don, Sally, Samantha and Suzi young.

I started this tribute a few weeks ago while in Toronto after the passing of Alex, Uncle Alex, ABK but could not bring myself to complete it because I got overwhelmed by emotions each time I tried. Suffice it to say, there have been numerous private and public tributes to Alex especially on social media over the past couple of weeks and the flavour of all of them is constant. Alex is being remembered for his dedication to work, professional matters, his love for family, his respectfulness, his mentorship, his astuteness, his kind words of comfort, his concern for the welfare of his colleagues, subordinates, and their families, etc., etc.

I first met ABK, in 1985 at Sierra Rutile when I joined the company almost a year after finishing FBC. I wasn’t in his department but it was obvious from rumours around that this towering legend was almost a workaholic who would spend hours at the office and the plant up till very late at night be it workday, weekend or holiday. His passion for work and dedication to see that the operations were successful was unrivalled. He was a mentor to numerous managers, supervisors, engineers and junior staff alike. He always had words of encouragement even if being dished out with a stern facial expression. He was legendary among ex-Rutile employees who passed through him for the regular fatherly advice he would freely dispense to colleagues of all ages. He actually became my next door neighbour in Mobimbi at the end of 1992 and was a constant source of support to my wife and twin boys the latter who were barely 6 months old. I remember when we initially fled the mine for Freetown on Christmas eve 1994 and he was one of the brave ones who stayed behind. We inadvertently left our Christmas turkey in the oven in our haste to abandon ship but, Alex being his usual kind and considerate self, went out of his way, even under such stressful circumstances, to ensure that his steward completed the job and despatched the finished bird to us in Freetown for a post-Christmas feast which was very much appreciated.

His relationship with the mine, its employees and local community continued after the restart of the operations when he became a director of the Board. This was also the period I re-joined SRL as Operations and later General Manager. He visited the mine at least once a month for those 6+ years for 2 or 3 nights at a time and was housed at my place even when I was away. I remember during one of those visits when I arranged for him to occupy one of the guest accommodations in order for him to be close to the other visiting directors. I will never forget his reaction when we met during that visit. He didn’t hesitate to let me know that he was not pleased with the fact that he was not staying with me that week. “…Udat you get na you ose way u nor wan make ar see” he retorted in his characteristic slight stutter and billowing voice from a distance. I definitely got the message loud and clear and that grave transgression was never repeated.

Alex would insist on meeting every new S Leonean or expat engineer or manager whenever he visited just to get to know them and offer his assistance and encouragement as he thought fit. He was known to have a special place in his heart for the Dredge and Powerhouse and his visit to the mine would not be complete without him driving down to get on board the dredge irrespective of distance or weather. In fact, it was strongly rumoured that if you wanted Alex to have a sleepless night in Freetown, just call him and mention that the dredge was having a few issues or was down for a protracted period.

Alex was one of the principals who established CEMMATS Group Ltd. in 1995 when SRL was overrun by rebels and the staff was evacuated to various areas of the country. It is no secret that CEMMATS has since become a household name in the country and it would be impossible not to acknowledge Alex’s contribution to the tremendous success the company has become. Being one of the few full-time CEMMATS’ Associates at inception, I got to work more closely with ABK for a few years until my family and I left for Canada at the end of the year 2000.

During the ensuing years before I returned to SL, ABK would make it a point of duty to call us from the USA whenever he was on that side of the pond just to keep in touch and enquire about the family. He even promised to visit us in Canada several times but, unfortunately, events overtook us.

I believe the writing was on the wall several months ago. Two events in particular stand out in my mind as I look back on our relationship especially over the past 6 months or so.

Firstly, during the last 2 years since I have been in and out of SL working with CEMMATS on a few projects, I have used ABKs office whenever he is not around. I remember teasing him during one of our regular phone conversations when he asked me how things were going. I told him “as usual I’m sitting in your office keeping your comfortable chair warm until your return”. His reply was, “Des, please enjoy the office…. as far as work is concerned, I’m afraid, I’m done now...”

Secondly, I drove down to see him in Virginia at the end of July this year and was fortunate to spend a several hours with him, Saweda, Bob, Ilara and family. However, I was rather taken aback when at the time I got up to say goodbye, he requested a photo with me. Alex and I have been in several photos over the years at official and private events but, for him to request one at that time sent a clear message to me. The end was nigh and he was making deliberate plans to accept his fate.

All of us without exception, who were fortunate to have met or have a close relationship with Alex will definitely remember him with fondness for his dedication, integrity and humility which remain unsurpassed. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may light eternal shine on him.
Des, Angela and the Boys

Ing. Alex Bai Kamara: GOOR, PE, FSLIE

Tribute

Thursday December 12, 2019



Alex Kamara, a brilliant engineer, a business partner, a friend



Paul Anka said:



“And now the end is near

And so I face the final curtain,

My friends, I'll say it clear,

I'll state my case of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full, I've travelled each and every highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”



Alex Bai Kamara, Pa Kamara, Uncle Alex, ABK, you lived a long and exemplary life, you made a difference to many lives and indeed you did it your way. A gentle giant of a man, disarmingly modest, a man of peace and unshakable integrity, a man of grace, humility, regal carriage, the anchor of his family, their sage and conscience. He charmed all who knew him, and our women folk had crushes on this handsome prince.



Samuel Johnson said:

“It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.”



I first met Alex at the Prince of Wales School 67 years ago and have been closely associated with him in a work environment for 43 years. What started as an excellent working relationship at Sierra Rutile when he was in charge of maintenance and engineering and I was in charge of operations and technical services developed into a deep friendship by the time we left rutile by which time we were referred to as twins. He was the best electrical and mechanical engineer I have ever met.



As the heads of two departments with the same objectives but operating positions that were sometimes diametrically opposed, we sat opposite each other at the morning management meeting and at least once a week had the most heated arguments. We had started the routine of having breakfast together immediately after the meeting in Alex’s office provided by him with his usual generosity. His cook was much better than mine and would prepare the sandwiches. To quote Alex at his 80th birthday “Wi kin mek plaba lɛk man ɛn wɛf ” I leave you to work out who was who. On these occasions we would eat our breakfasts in complete silence. However sometime during that day one would call the other and say something very stupid and unconnected and bingo the malice was over.



When we came to Freetown after the rebel attack on the mine site in January1995, we spent the next 6 months hoping the mine would restart. And so many people were very surprised when Alex, myself, Andrew Keili, Sidi Bakarr and Frank Smith decided to set up CEMMATS in September 1995. They said that Alex and Tani are always fighting how can they work together? CEMMATS started as the result of comments made by someone, I was visiting to make enquiries about work for my daughter Olayinka who had just qualified and wanted to return home. The lady told me off in no uncertain terms and said we should stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get on with our lives. I called Alex and we talked, and the rest is history. This is a great example of the power of speaking the truth in love. We never know who we may be influencing.



The company has. become a household name in the country and it would be impossible not to acknowledge Alex’s contribution to the tremendous success the company has become.



CEMMATS was Alex’s passion and he took great pride in developing engineers. He looked for the potential in people and would often say that the problem with us Sierra Leoneans was not aptitude but attitude.



His leadership of the three-man management team that turned around the operation of NPA between 2000 and 2002 was exemplary.



He was a true son of Sierra Leone, a patriot without allegiance to any party but devotion to duty and country. We were both proud that at CEMMATS tribal affiliations and religious persuasions were never ever an issue in the company. We only wish that Sierra Leone could function like that.



CEMMATS will be a different place without him. We will strive to make sure that his legacy is enshrined by taking the company to even higher heights. He was always concerned that we would leave a sustainable organisation that would go from strength to strength.



My 19 years working together at Rutile and my last 24 years with him as a business partner have been an unforgettable and uplifting experience. Through it we developed the relationship that blossomed into love that made people refer to us as twins, the long and the short of it all.



I am privileged to have known him.



To conclude,



In the words of the prayer for Holy rest we say:



O Lord support us all day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world lies hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.



And so ABK I bid you farewell. We will have our next fight in the great beyond.



TP

You are so dearly missed by your family and loved ones! Your legacy continues through us.

Love always,

- Mabinty, Elijah and Joel Looky

Grandpa Alex was the best grandfather I could have ever asked for, he was the absolute best. His love, light, smile and presence will be severely missed. LOVE YOU ALWAYS! ♾♾❤️❤️❤️❤️