My respected friend Thierry Montocchio passed away this week after a courageous fight against a brain cancer. I kept saying to myself over the last two months, that I must really go and see him and got a brief news recently through his brave wife, Sophie, that he was not well. I never got a chance to go and see him, probably because I did not want to see him in his current state and I feel that I , at least, owe him a public tribute…

I first met Thierry through my wife, who was working with “Circus” advertising on a hotel communication project. When I first met him, I immediately felt that this was a very special Mauritian. He epitomised, at least to me, and hopefully my
generation, what it took to be a true Mauritian. He was so proud of his country, the different races and religions that made up our diverse island. He was generous, caring in everything that he did and clearly understood what it took to be a Mauritian. He had absolutely no prejudice against anyone. Inviting a Hindu priest to recite the “Shanti” blessings at his funeral in a Catholic church in St.-Pierre shows how an open-minded person he was. A far cry from all the nonsense that we hear from all our local politicians and other socioreligious entities who thrive for their survival on the differences of colour, caste and religion…

Thierry was immensely talented, innovative and creative…All the qualities that made his success at “Circus”. Above all, he was a leader without a title, more like a philarmonic orchestra conductor gathering talented people around him to bring out endless energy and creativity in them…The video clip for a local beer, ‘NOU PAYS’ created by “Circus”, illustrates clearly how Thierry led his team to brilliantly depict the fl avours, colours and sensitivities of our beautiful island. All this was achieved well before we had even started thinking about how to brand our country. Thierry had already done it ! Thinking of it, it would have been a clever move to get Thierry more involved on our country branding.

The other trait that struck me about Thierry, was his simplicity and modesty... He was very down to earth…When others around him displayed their latest toys, i.e their speed boats in the lagoon of Trou-d’eau-Douce, where he spent a lot of time with his family, Thierry had no better idea than to bring out his very own toy, a strikingly green local fisherman pirogue which he anchored for a while in front of his bungalow... I had commissioned him last year at a party to do a painting for me of that same beach where we often met, with the mountains in the background and without forgetting the green pirogue ! He had agreed and told me he would do it when he felt better…This, unfortunately, never happened and I am left with only the vision of the scenery in my mind. Thierry was one who knew how to party with his friends…

Last year, despite his illness and at the place of a common friend, he was the fi rst to be on the dancing fl oor (having nearly started on the table !) and enjoyed himself with his friends. When I announced to my eldest daughter, Uma , that I had lost a good friend and told her who it was, she immediately reacted by saying “ yes, I remember him, he was great fun, he made us dance so much last year”. The truth always comes from the mouth of your child.

The only time that Thierry asked for my help, was when I was at “Air Mauritius”. He sent me an SMS to ask me whether I could assist him to get a good seat on a flight, as he was travelling back home from Paris after his first chemiotherapy session since he had discovered his cancer. I had no hesitation to do this. He was also the person that we had commissioned to do an internal communication campaign in the search for internal team to work side by side with McKinsey. The campaign was well thought, effective and extremely well delivered – pure Thierry stuff. When he came back, he sent me two shirts with the word “Manze Are li” written on them – one of his favourite words and one that is in-built in Thierry’s DNA.

I do not usually write tributes to people, but this time around,I have felt that I needed, because I cannot imagine Mauritius or the local advertising world without Thierry Montocchio. He was a great man, a great friend and above all, a great family person. To my remaining friends at his advertising agency, all I have to tell you is…The Circus must go on and Thierry would love that.