Yousuf Mahomed Ismail (Joe) Bulbulia passed away at 10:40 pm on Saturday 22nd August aged 67. This post provides a brief biography, tributes from friends and family, a gallery of pictures collected and access to a recording of his memorial. It is dedicated in memory of Joe who will sadly be missed by his family and many friends across the world.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Newlands, Johannesburg, on April 14th 1953, Joe was the fifth child and third son, of Mahomed Ismail Bulbulia (Bree) and Ayesha Kara. The Bulbulia family lived in Newlands until 1961 when they moved to 21 13th street, Fietas into the house his father built in response to the Group Areas Act under which Newlands was declared a White Group Area. Fietas later suffered the same fate.
In 1967 together with his brother Shahed two years elder, Yousuf was sent to Waterford in Swaziland to complete his secondary education. He remained there until the family emigrated to Toronto, Canada in early ’69. The family moved into two adjacent apartments in the suburb of Don Mills and Yousuf enrolled at George Vanier High School. The family lived in the apartment at Graydon Hall Manor until 1971 when they moved into the house at 78 Fairway Heights Drive backed onto Bayview Golf and Country Club.
After completing Grade 13 at George Vanier High School, Yousuf enrolled at Carleton University in Ottawa and read Political Science. Upon his return to Toronto he joined the Toronto Unit of the ANC and played a vital role in raising funds for the Liberation Movement.
In 1983 he returned to South Africa at the request of his father to assist in the management of the family business. During this period he was actively involved in the anti-apartheid struggle playing a role as an activist within the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) and United Democratic Front (UDF). Joe was fun-loving and gregarious quickly befriending many life long friends.
Yousuf suffered from epilepsy throughout his life as a result of a head injury sustained at age six. He had his first seizure 9 years later while at boarding school in Swaziland. A few years ago he was diagnosed as having Multiple System Atrophy which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that led to his loss of mobility and independence. On the fateful evening of the 22nd Yousuf finally succumbed.
He leaves behind his caring wife Suraya, daughter Ayesha, son Naeem, daughter-in-law Waseema and grandson Aman.
– Shiraz Bulbulia
TRIBUTES
We remember the larger than life, beautiful, brave and amazing human being Joe was! We remember his hugs, the kiss that always accompanied that hug and his genuine friendship! Joe was a beautiful soul!
Cas and Sabera.
Tribute for our beloved Joe: We met Joe on his return from Canada. He was a young affable, athletic and engaging person. He quickly and naturally joined us activists and became a friend. In that context he was always a part of our lives. Joe’s warm and friendly nature drew us closer to him. Many adventures followed. We watched him as he courted Suraya and celebrated his new found love. The gracious Suraya became an integral part of our friendship. We remember our times in Swaziland, Durban and Warmbaths with happy memories.
The years have gone by and our friendships were strengthened with the warm embrace of the Bubulia clan.
We regret not seeing him as often but Bhais night was a highlight. We wish lots of strength to Suraya, Naeem and Aysha and all the Bulbulia brothers. MHSRIP.Fuad and Shireen.
BABY JOE – THE GENTLE GIANT
What a wonderful, kind-hearted and gentle soul he was.
It’s truly a sad loss and we shall always remember the wonderful times that we enjoyed together over the more than five decades that we knew each other – from the time that we were both fifteen years of age at school in Swaziland together in the same class up to his recent and sudden passing at a relatively young age of 67.
The Bulbulia family left South Africa for Canada in 1969 and returned in 1984 when I bumped into Joe at a concert at Fun Valley. We were delighted to see each other after such a long absence and as we embraced I yelled “Baby “ which was Joe’s family name – presumably as he was the youngest in his family . Fuad and Razia who were with me at the time were both astonished and found it amusing that I would call such a big guy “Baby”.
Throughout our time together our families too became great friends and we not only spent many, many memorable vacations together but our families were so intertwined that we were present at every occasion – weddings, engagements, births, etc – except the final one of Joe’s passing, which is what saddens us most!
Throughout our times together, Joe was always very warm-hearted, kind and generous. Always ready to offer his (and his wife Suraya’s) – assistance. Even when he was in his wheelchair – such was his generosity.
Also, he was great to be with as he was always ready to go out and have fun – be it for a meal out, or a golf game or a swim in the sea or a night out with the Bhais – Joe was ready despite his hurdles – which is what made him such an amazing friend.
Hamba kahle our good buddy
May your soul rest in peace
Hashim Bham.
I’ve known Joe as a decent, worldly, cultured person with an unshakeable commitment, not only to the struggle for freedom and democracy, but also to the All Blacks! We will miss you Joe.
Feizel Mamdoo.
I first met Joe in 1983 when he returned to SA from Canada. He joined our group of “town” activists and we’ve been friends….Bhais…ever since. We called him Baby Joe in those days and that aptly described him; he was a gentle giant. Joe, was a humble man, lacking in any malice or rancour, except against the Proteas, of course. He will be fondly remembered…forever my Bhai.
Deepak Patel.
Unlike other Bhais, I did not know Joe well in the 80’s and 90’s, other than as a fellow activist from town. However, over the last few years I got to know both Suraya and Joe much better. Joe, like my dad could not cross the rubicon to support any South African team. He was very passionate about the teams he supported (Brazil in soccer, All Blacks in Rugby, West Indies in cricket and Liverpool in the Premier League). Joe was kind, good natured (ignoring sports when he was outrageously dogmatic) and empathetic. I recall the delightful Khurry Kitchrie May Day picnic with Joe regally sitting in his chair and chatting. His death was much too sudden leaving an unmistakeable void. Bhais nights will not be the same.
Fazel Mayet.
Go well Gentleman JoeHamba Kahle MfowethuRest well Joe, see the All Blacks and the West Indies soar and crease an infectious smile upon your gentle face.Farewell Gentleman JoeHamba Kahle MfowethuRest well Joe, for one day Palestine will free a smile upon your gentle face.Farewell Gentleman JoeHamba Kahle MfowethuRest well Joe, for your gentle memory brings a smile upon my face.I am so lucky to have known you!Ayub Mayet
I will remember Joe as the great enthusiast to socialise with on Bhais’ nights. I often occupied a seat next to him when we out and he gave me the opportunity to converse with him. I enjoyed his quiet nature, his warm smile and his company for those short spells. I admired the way he took a keen interest in ones well being despite his own physical struggles. He did not allow it to get in his way to mix with friends. Joe may your good soul rest in eternal peace – we will miss you for the many social gatherings. We know that you will always grace us with your presence in spirit.
Anthony Moonsamy.
I met Joe soon after his arrival back from Canada in 1983. Rapport between us came easy. But then, Joe got along easily with almost everybody he met. Easy to talk to talk to, easy to make him laugh and easy for him to find the funny side of things. My friendship with Joe was multi-dimensional. We were activists together, discussed world events, we played for the same cricket team, he introduced me to golf, followed the fortunes of our sports gods like teenagers, we went out to restaurants, dance clubs, sports events, movies and plays together, attended each other’s weddings, went on vacations together, shared the happiness of the birth of our respective children – Joe was very much part of my life and that of Nafissa. We grew through adulthood together.
If the last few years was tough for many of us who knew Joe to witness his deteriorating health condition, I cannot imagine his internal struggles with his own vulnerabilities. My escape is to retreat into the wells of a 37 year relationship. It’s hard to package. Memories come flooding back. The emotions are difficult to contain. Just so grateful to have had Joe around. Will miss him dearly.
Khalik Mayet.
I first met Yousuf in my high school Math class in the winter of 1970, just after his family had relocated to Toronto from South Africa. It’s hard to believe it’s 50 years ago. A kind, gentle soul, he embraced his new environment, extreme weather et al and we embraced him and his family.
A keen golfer, squash player and absent minded professor, we had a lot of adventures. We worked together for a couple of summers at a local Golf Course where the Italian Course Superintendent Rocco affectionately called Yousuf,..Giuseppe, and Yousuf took spring break trips driving to Florida with his buddies, feeding his 6 classmates enroute with huge helpings of Masala chicken courtesy of his sister Shireen. All the while supporting the perennial cellar dwelling, Toronto Maple Leafs.
He attended Carlton University in Ottawa, and myself and several friends would visit him often in the dead of winter to hang out for the weekend. And there’s nothing quite like an Ottawa winter…brutally cold. But that didn’t phase Yousuf, he adapted to any environment with curiosity and delight….he was well liked and made many friendships @ University.
And even though Yousuf returned to South Africa some 34 years ago, we always kept in contact and no matter how long the lapse between communications, we took up just where we left off.
Yousuf was a kindred soul and cherished friend who made this world a little bit better by his presence….I will profoundly miss him.
Ben Flock
Toronto, Canada
August 28, 2020
GALLERY
MEMORIAL
Joe Bulbulia Memorial held virtually on 28 August 2020 (click on the picture to view)
Yusuf’s mother was my maternal grandfather’s sister, which made him my uncle. He was not just a close relative, but a good friend. On the infrequent times we met at family and social gatherings he was always warm and engaging. Leila and I share the sentiments of others who found his rapid demise very distressing. We’ll miss him.
To Suraya, who cared for and loved him, the pain must be unimaginable,as it must be for Ayesha and Naeem. You all can take solace in the knowledge that he was a decent and honorable person. He left us far too soon.
Azhar&Leila.
Azhar, my father was also your maternal grandfather’s first cousin, so we are related from the Bulbulia side as well.
We take solace in the fact that he was a warm, gregarious & generous individual, utterly lacking in hidden agendas. He genuinely loved people and having a good time, a veritable social animal. From all the contributions, it’s clear that he touched people in the same way across time and space, regardless of context, Joe was Joe.
It is also of some comfort that Joe got to see his grandson, Amaan.
In recent years it was hard to watch his rapid deterioration. He had become less than his former self.
Suraya’ lovingly cared for our brother during his decline. She remains and integral part of our clan. Naeem and Ayesha know that they are surrounded by a loving family. In the loss of a loved one , sometimes we are gifted with more warmth and love.
We grew up together in Fietas the home ground of the Bulbulia clan.
In and out of each other’s house before the family left for Canada and then living in the same block of flats in Fordsburg, Bree Heights when they returned. Joe was so much like his father in physique and gentle as as his mom. Remembering Joe as a wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. His love for challenging questions and debates on sports and politics often gave one a different perspective.
Our thoughts are with Suraya, Naeem and Ayesha.
Anver and Mehroon Bulbulia
Thanks Anver…