from Dianne Norton

I (along with so many other of his WLOS friends) am just devastated to hear about Ali's death. We all loved him - there is not other word for it than that. He had a warm and colourful character (right down to his shoes which I always admired) and we thoroughly enjoyed his company in all the shows he participated in - he made a real contribution - especially in Dad's
Army where he was really terrific. The part suited him so well. He will always have a very special place in my heart.

Only yesterday I was looking for a little vase to put some flowers in and found a very pretty one and then realised it had been a present from Ali. When we were doing My Fair Lady (I think it was that show) he came round to each of the ladies' dressing rooms with lovely bouquets of flowers and I am so pleased I kept the vase.

Ali's personality was as bright and memorable as his fabulous green and yellow shoes. I'll always be grateful for the many happy memories he's left me with.

Dianne Norton

Dublin

Dublin 2011 with Elena

My Fair Lady

Cinderella - from Tricia Dibb

Ali as an ugly sister - December 2010

I saw Ali in Dad’s Army and as a result of his performance asked him if he would like to appear in Panto. He immediately said yes and so I had the pleasure of working with him when he played Ravioli one of the Ugly Sisters in my production of Cinderella in December last year. He was so excited about performing in his first Panto and took to the role with great enthusiasm and hard work. From singing Keep Young and Beautiful to wearing a ball gown shaped and decorated like a Christmas tree and tottering around on a pair of stiletto heels, nothing fazed him and he charmed and entertained the audiences. You only have to look at the photographs to see how much he enjoyed himself. I did ask him to perform again for this year’s Panto and although he was not able to do so he expressed his desire to come along to enjoy the show from the other side of the curtain.

As the magic of Panto weaves its spell again this year all of us will remember a really lovely guy who bought so much pleasure and fun to so many people. Thanks Ali you really wowed them “oh yes you did!”

With fond memories

Tricia Dibb

Wimbledon common

Ali at Wimbledon common - one of his favourite places to go.
He loved bird watching, learning about the flora and fauna of the area. He would stop by a tree and tell you everything about it.
Ali had a sketchbook where he drew leaves, flowers, trees - it has really pretty drawings.
From Elena

Ali's wardrobe

Ali's bright clothes getting dry in the sun, just before the trip to Dublin.
From Elena.

from Ellie Sanders

Ali and I met at our friend’s birthday party in the spring 2010 and clicked immediately. He stood out from the crowd with his unique bright outfit. We could talk about literature, arts, films for ages. Ali was keen on theatre, history, books and nature. Luckily he moved in our houseshare in Wimbledon at the end of 2010 and our friendship was growing. Ali was a very delicate, intelligent, artistic person with lots of interests. Social life was very important to Ali; he liked going out to the theatre, movies, parks, parties, socialising and being around people. It was a pleasure seeing him on stage, he was so natural and charismatic. We had been spending a lot of our free time together before I moved out in May 2011. Ali had a very busy lifestyle with lots of events and he would often invite his friends to join him in one do or another which was always such a treat. Philanthropic and altruistic by nature, Ali was a great friend and will always be a very special person in my heart...
Elena xx

(Ali and Elena being eaten by sharks)

from Nick Simpson

I’m so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of Ali. He was such a lovely man and everyone at WLOS will miss him terribly, he was much loved.

I joined WLOS in September last year, just 6 weeks before Dad’s Army having never acted or performed since school, I was as nervous as anything & not too sure what I was doing there and Ali was one of the first to make me feel welcome. 2 weeks later, I was fortunate enough to be given a lead part (I played Private Walker, the spiv character) but having just 4 weeks before opening I needed a great deal of help which everyone, but Ali especially, always provided. He could tell I was very unsure of myself so he took me under his wing and would always give me confidence boosts and kept telling me I was doing well & I’ve always been very grateful.

Deepest sympathies

Nick

Wimbledon Light Opera Society

Ali was a long-standing member of Wimbledon Light Opera Society. In 2010 he played the part of Pike in their production of Dad's Army.

Christmas 2009

Ali spent snowy Christmas 2009 in Norfolk with some of his family. We went for a walk to a bird reservation. Ali was very pleased with his gold trousers.

Ali's funeral

Ali's funeral ceremony took place at 1pm on Friday the 14th of October 2011 at Epping Forest Burial Park (CM16 6AD). The burial will take place in the same place at 10am on Friday 21st October.

---

The funeral and reception are open to all Ali's family and friends - everyone who knew Ali and cared about him. Please wear bright and colourful clothes.

To help the planning of the day, please could you let Ali's mum, margueritaowen@googlemail.com, know if you are coming. Thank you!

Ali's family request that, rather than sending flowers, donations be made to charities; we will suggest some charities in due course.

Directions to Epping Forest Burial Park (CM16 6AD)
The nearest tube station is Epping. We have arranged a minibus that will shuttle between the station and the Burial Park. Please look out for other colourfully-dressed people at Epping station on Friday!

Ali's Book of Remembrance

We are very sorry to have to let Ali's friends know that Ali Ghiassi died in the last week of September 2011. This website is for anyone who knew Ali to share their memories of him. It is maintained by his sister Ramesh Ghiassi and his brother-in-law David MacKay. Please send words or images to davidjcmackay@gmail.com