A TRIBUTE TO NICK BENGE, FCA

It is with the deepest sorrow that we have learned that Nick Benge, FCA died recently in hospital in England from cancer. He passed away peacefully listening to his favourite classical music with his wife Sally and daughter Nathalie at his bedside.

Nick and Sally left Abu Dhabi in 2013 after spending 30 years here. However, after their departure they regularly visited Abu Dhabi two or three times a year and Nick continued to give his valuable support and advice unstintingly to the many organisations he was connected with.

Nick joined the Steering Group of the British Business Group (BBG) in 1993 and in January 1995 became the BBG Group Treasurer and held this position until his resignation at the end of 2012, prior to his departure from Abu Dhabi.

A previous Chairman of the BBG on hearing of Nick’s death, wrote “Nick was a saint and his services to the Abu Dhabi Community, quietly, willingly and freely given were unrivalled. I will remember his valuable contribution to the BBG as Group Treasurer over many years, including his wise guidance on accounts and monetary matters”.

Other tributes paid to Nick were:-

“Nick was an exceptional man and always smiling – he never seemed to let anything get him down”

“Lovely, guy, very unassuming, always willing to give advice and help others”

“He was indeed a true gentleman”

Due to his kindness and generosity Nick never refused a request to be honorary treasurer of an organisation including Tribal groups and St Andrews Church. A further indication of how much Nick assisted and contributed to the many organisations he was connected to was that the Emirates National History Group awarded him a certificate of Lifetime Membership in June, 2011 for his services to the Group.

Also, Nick and Sally were very keen sailors. Even after their departure form Abu Dhabi they continued to keep their own sailing boat at the Club and were awarded Lifetime Membership of the Sailing Club on their departure in 2013.

In all that Nick did, during his time in Abu Dhabi and his visits thereafter, he always had the strong support of his wife Sally.

May God bless him and may his soul rest in peace.