Remembering a businessman with warm smile

Imagine someone who is 70 years plus and having a voice which sounded like that of a youth. If you do so you would remember Winston Hema de Soyza who maintained a youthful image right into his old age! A smile was his umbrella at all times.

The Soyzas were leading citizens of the town. Hema learnt his motor engineering at Rowlands for which company his father was the agent in Kurunegala. Having successfully qualified he worked in several engineering establishments

It is not always that one is able to say that you have known someone all your life. Hema and I grew up together and moreover one could truthfully claim that the families have known each other for more than a century. Hema was educated at St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota and was one of its little boarders in the Rainbow Cottage when he initially entered. He played junior cricket and also did a few field events in athletics. He was a quiet, cheerful student and in later life continued to impress all with his immense propensity for being happy and making others happy! Hema ‘s father was Vivian who was the proprietor of a successful and well respected Motor business in Kurunegala. The Soyzas were leading citizens of the town. Hema learnt his motor engineering at Rowlands for which company his father was the agent in Kurunegala. Having successfully qualified he worked in several engineering establishments. For a time he was attached to Saudi Airways in the engineering division as an expert in mechanical loaders. On his return he worked for AMW and was attached to the Suzuki sales section where his competence, charm, and integrity brought in many customers. For many, AMW meant passing the responsibility for their problems to Hema who was always eager to please, a hallmark of his personality. His public relations were a byword and an example to many.

He was a quiet, cheerful student and in later life continued to impress all with his immense propensity for being happy and making others happy! Hema ‘s father was Vivian who was the proprietor of a successful and well respected Motor business in Kurunegala

Hema was a devoted husband to Yasmin and they would have reached the envious milestone of fifty years together on the September 20, 2022. They made a happy couple and had two daughters Sannara and Nishani and four grandchildren on whom they doted. Hema would be missed and his memory cherished by all those of us who had the privilege of knowing him. His cherubic smile never dimmed till the last! 
Franklyn Amerasinghe