Mangaluru: The catering industry in the coastal city grew under one household name – M Dsouza and Sons. The very core of the food industry seems to owe this lineage to the pioneer of this industry in Mangaluru Mr John Dsouza. A man who touched many lives, and left for his heavenly abode for people to remember the loving ‘Johhny Ab’ fondly by.
The pioneer of the catering industry in Mangaluru, Mr John Dsouza passed away on Sunday, September 13. Speaking to his family, News Karnataka, learnt a little more about the great man and wishes to share it with its readers.
A man with a humble beginning from Bokkapatna, dreamt of making it big in the food industry. This is how his journey began. “He was so passionate about what he did that he made sure that every plate which was handed out to a guest at a function was handed out personally by him. It didn’t matter to him if the crowd was of 500 people or 5000”, shared Mrs Divya D’souza, daughter-in-law of late Mr John.
A philanthropist of a different kind, she said as she defined the man he was. “He did not believe in making a big display of what he gave to the society. But of everyone who came to him with a request, nobody ever left empty handed- Irrespective of their religion or caste. He only knew how to give”, she said.
Speaking about how people remember him, she smiled and said, “Everyone remembers him for his infectious smile. Whenever they met him, I always remember them saying, ‘Tu asai zalyar Johnny aab, poora dhadoshi asan munn manthanv’ (If you are around, we believe that everything will be in abundance)”. Such was the impact he had on every person who came across him.
While speaking about the catering industry itself that has grown in the past years, Mrs Dsouza said, “There was no one in this field at that time. Every new thing that was introduced in this field was brought by him. Including the buffet system, he brought all the trends that the people are now so accustomed to”. She also added that Late Mr John knew the tastes of every one of the guests. “He knew exactly what they wanted and gave them exactly that. And he was particularly keen on serving the mutton biriyani which was his specialty”, she added.
Such a pioneer he was in this industry, that it has been said that everyone who is currently working in this field and has successful catering businesses has worked with him and learned from him. “He gave a shape to this industry”, she concluded.
He is survived by wife Gracy D’Souza, son Loy, daughter-in-law Divya and two grand children, Sasha and Leisha.
The mortal remains will be kept at Urwa Church Hall at 2 pm on Friday, to enable his friends and admirers to pay their last respects. This will be followed by the funeral at Urwa Church at 3.45 pm.
