THE family of the popular owner of the general store in Whitecraig has paid tribute to members of the community for turning out to pay their respects on the day of his funeral amidst the Covid-19 lockdown.

Local residents, observing social distancing rules, came out of their doors and clapped in tribute to Sukhdevgar Gosai, known locally as David, who passed away on March 25 after suffering a stroke – exactly two years to the day after the death of his wife Jayalaxmi, known as Joy.

The lockdown rules meant that Mr Gosai, whose parents came from India, was unable to have a proper Hindu funeral and only seven members of his family could attend his funeral at Seafield Crematorium on April 13 which would have been his 88th birthday.

His daughter Nisha said: “Due to lockdown procedures the extended family were unable to attend the funeral or be with us for support. It also meant that he didn’t receive the proper Hindu funeral he deserved.

“However, seeing his beloved community out to support and pay their respects was greatly appreciated by the family.

“Their clapping as the funeral cortege passed was an emotional and humbling experience. I burst into tears and it made such a huge difference for me.

“It showed how loved and respected he was. He loved the village. It was a really good send-off.”

She said the family were also overwhelmed by the cards and messages from well-wishers which had been dropped into the store, which is run by his son Hitesh, known as John, and through the door of her father’s house in Deantown Drive.

Mr Gosai, was born on April 13, 1932, in Gulu, Uganda, where his father had travelled to from India, opening up a general store in the jungle where he served the local community.

Mr Gosai and his Kenya-born wife Jayalaxmi, whose parents were also from India, were married on December 13, 1952.

The family left Uganda in 1969 during the civil uprising as they feared for their lives amidst threats that they would be killed as the Asian community was no longer wanted in the country.

Nisha recalled riots which took place at the time.

The family fled to the UK, only to be sent back to Uganda by the authorities but, on arrival at Entebbe, they were told they had “set foot on British soil” and returned to London as asylum seekers.

In early August 1972, the President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of his country’s Asian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country.

After leaving Uganda earlier, the family spent six weeks in a detention centre in London before being released.

They lived in the capital for the next 18 months as they tried to overcome the apprehension of finding themselves in a totally different country with its cold weather.

Nisha said: “We came here with nothing, just a few shillings but my parents worked hard, and scrimped and saved – was always about their children. We had food on the table, clothes on our backs and lots and lots of love.”

Mr Gosai, who worked as a postmaster in Uganda, could speak English and the family moved to Lancashire where he, Jayalaxmi and John worked in the textile mills.

Nisha said they spent a happy childhood there and when the mills closed they heard from her father’s friend in Edinburgh that the general store business in Whitecraig was available.

They were welcomed to the village in the early 1980s and immediately felt part of the community.

Mr Gosai, who has six grandsons and one great-granddaughter, is survived by his three children Hitesh (John) and daughters Seema and Nisha.

Members of the community also took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Gosai.

One said: “I’d like to thank him for his long time service to this village. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.”

Another posted: “So sorry to hear of Davie’s passing. He was a true gentleman and will be sadly missed in the community of Whitecraig.”

One added: “He was a lovely man!!! Never ever passed without speaking!!!”

“True gentleman – heart of gold,” read another.