“A life guided by thought, led with heart, and lived with purpose never truly ends — it simply becomes part of those who follow.”
Obituary
Ijaz Godall lived a remarkable life defined by perseverance, intellect, and quiet wisdom. Born in Uggi, a village in the Punjab during the final days of British India, Ijaz’s journey began amidst the upheaval of Partition and a traditional rural upbringing. He was deeply influenced by his scholarly grandfather and nonconformist village elders who instilled in him a lifelong love of learning, critical thinking, and self-reliance.
He moved to the UK in 1965, where he carved out a successful life against the odds. With resilience and an unrelenting thirst for knowledge, Ijaz studied tirelessly, eventually qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and building a distinguished international career — first with Peat Marwick Mitchell (KPMG), and later in senior roles at Gulf Air and Emirates Airline.
More than a professional, Ijaz was a principled man. He held fast to the values of honesty, humility, and fairness. His warmth, wit, and wisdom touched many lives across the UK, the Middle East, and beyond. Ijaz cherished his family deeply — a devoted husband, loving father of three, and proud grandfather of seven.
He believed in lifelong growth, spending his later years reading philosophy, quantum physics, and history, and traveling the world with his beloved wife Shamim. His parting advice — echoing the village elder who shaped his youth — was simple but profound: “Don’t follow the crowd. Always make up your own mind.”
Ijaz leaves behind a legacy of integrity, intellect, and love — a life fully lived, and fondly remembered.
Ijaz's Memoir Published in 2020: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LRlMcquf3v7L7HlBNWMgv_bCo684clEm/view?usp=sharing
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I have had the privilege of his friendship for over 30 years, filled with fond memories of real conversations, great moments spent together.
Ijaz was one of a kind - warm, funny, direct, humble and above all, a man of great integrity.
Rest in peace my friend. We will miss you.
To many memories and stories. Always remember one of his quotes, "always learn from your mistake".
Very honest man, one day I went to Sainsbury's and asked for cash back, but the cashier didn't added to the bill, I told him, and sent me back to Sainsbury's to returns the money, they didn't want the money back..
Very funny, always making jokes.
I was always the last to go home, and when he was leaving the office never forgot to stand in front of me to tell me "Haidee you are in charge" and laugh, of course in charge of myself.
I have many more memories, sometimes arguing about work, but in a good way.
I am very sorry he is not around anymore. Rest in peace Ijaz.
It was always uplifting to see him around—cheerful, active, and so dedicated to his household. He was often busy looking after things around the home and lovingly caring for his beautiful grandchildren.
I always admired his calm presence and his philosophical outlook on life. His words often carried wisdom, and his attitude towards life was truly inspiring.
After seven years of living next door, he became more than just a neighbour—he became a good friend to our whole family.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We truly sympathise with your loss and are keeping you all in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Bev Ticket Office
He granted my request if he knows of my personal needs for my family.
My unforgettable memories of him, is every morning he is downstairs smoking, every time I saw him I always say “Good morning Ijaz” he never replied I never get tired of greeting him as respect. Then one memorable day we have our finance meeting, before he ends the meeting he asked anything you wanted to say, then with my trembling knees I said that I have it kept it my heart for many many years, I said “I always said good morning to you, but you never reply but then I said you must have so much in your plate that you probably did not hear me and beside I am so little, surprisingly he apologised and since then you never stop greeting me.
Since then he has a place n my heart.
May he rest in peace🙏🙏🙏
I remember him being dedicated to work always in at 6am and the last one to leave. ijaz always pushed and encouraged me to do better.though he firm with regards to work he loved telling jokes and being told jokes, his were always better than mine. I eventually left emirates in 2002. I last met Ijaz on a visit to england at the emirates office in 2009 (i think) turns out it was his last day emirates. I asked him shall we go out for drink he agreed but only half a pint. There isn’t a day that goes by where Ijaz comes to my thoughts one way or the other especially when it comes to spending money…i use his favorite quote’’NOT IN THE BUDGET’’. My sincere condolences to the family.
Ijaz was a good man and will be missed.
Sunny
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