This is what Blaise Costabir (Alfie's brother-in-law and Clare's husband) sent in to us: I too am stunned by the events of the passed few days, guess the fact that things had to be done kept me occupied and the fact has still to sink in, it is unbelievable that Alfred is no more. I spoke to him last at around 7 pm just before I left work. At 7.20 I spoke to Clare who was with him. We decided since Bearnadette was around she would come home and I would go there for the night.

Clare reached home and began recounting the events of the day. Actually of the evening. She had come home to pick our daughter and was driving off when Alfred managed to get her attention for the top window.

Apparently he was not feeling well and wanted to go back to teh hospital. He had already taken his mother medicine sorbitrate and that made him feel better. (Alfred knew all about medicine and different medical conditions, he was a walking talking encyclopedia).

I subsequent noticed that he had parked my car badly which is unlike Alfred pointed to the fact that he was not well when he
reached our house. She drove him to the hospital and he was admitted by 4 pm. He was on the phone most of teh time, he discussed his plans to do another two weeks offshore before doing his recommended angioplast. Basically he was in great nick or so it seemed.

Earlier in the day he had gone to the same hospital (apollo victor) for a stress test as he was feeling uneasy over the last 2/3 weeks. he was advised immediate angiography. He decided not to do it. Possibly because he was alone. Other than Clare and myself no one knew as he had decided not to inform Lynette and Mum to avoid bothering them. I was out of town that day and was to return that same evening.

Initially he told m he had to attend ONGC training, and therefore could not postpone his trip. He was at our place the previous evening and since I was not around I organised the sprite so that he could enjoy some good urak. He told me later he was not going to drink as he actually had to do a check up. He was careful (you
cannot get more careful than Alfred) he was fit supremely fit ( few of us could match his exercise routine and his discipline ), he was medically well informed (ask Maxwell brother). So when we look back in hindsight all we can say his time had come.

That call came around 7.30, even as Clare finished her story.

Bearnadette called frantically to say Alfred was serious. Apparently he was talking on the phone to his kids, the attendant was just finishing shaving him in preparation for the angiograph the next morning when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest. By the time we reached he was on life support and we were informed he was not doing well. Now the difficult part was how to inform Lynette and mum wo would be shocked he was in hospital in the first place.

We managed to get Lynettes brother and brothers in law to accompany her to the hospital. She reached just before Alfred got his call. Just before that we had him annointed.

About his computer Alfred was not waiting for the prices to fall. Rather everytime he would decide there would be another drop and as you all know alfred he was a perfectionist and he had to start his research again. He finally also got over the fear of his kids creating any havoc. Would you believe it he allowed then to play with his new mobile. Maybe he noticed they learn fast.

As his brother in law, we shared a warm relationship with each giving the other his space so we never had the usual brother in law problems, and each respecting the fact that we were as different as chalk and cheese. I will miss him a lot.

May his soul rest in peace. Blaise Costabir (ends)

You can reach Clare and Blaise at blare at satyam.net.in In solidarity with all those whose lives Alfie has touched. Muriel & Mario