Riaz A. Gilani passed peacefully on November 21, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. Gilani was born on January 15th 1917 in Shahkot, India. Riaz married Kathleen Annette Cowie in London, and together raised 4 children – Tara, Shah, Bano and Zarrina. Another source of love and pride for Riaz are his three extraordinary grandchildren: Leila, Nate and Emma. In addition to his loving family in Pakistan and India, Riaz is survived by his beloved and longtime partner, Eileen Sheldon. Riaz and Eileen shared many beautiful years in Sarasota, acquiring a number friends along the way, enjoying their favorite hobbies together and keeping each other young. The Gilani family is eternally grateful for the love and support Eileen has shown to Riaz. Riaz A. Gilani was a lifelong scholar, a brilliant thinker, writer, statesman, and poet. He held 2 Masters Degrees from Cambridge University. Always the gentleman – elegant, impeccably dressed, with a miraculous moustache, dimples for days and a divine British-accented voice that mesmerized all. Riaz was also an accomplished athlete. He excelled at field hockey, tennis and golf. Reaching top levels of international accomplishment, most notably – golf championships. The Gilani family has long known that golf was the true love of his life! Part of his illustrious time on Earth included creating cotton parachutes during World War II when there was no silk to be had. Gilani’s brilliance and creativity led to successful careers and milestones in the textiles business and the car business. Funeral Services and Burial have taken place at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life at Misty Creek Country Club. In honor of Riaz’s life and his love of golf, if you would like to salute him, please make a contribution in his name to First Tee, an organization that though golf, helps educate and elevate young people. The Gilani family is eternally grateful to all who touched the life of Riaz, and in doing so, made his life even more spectacular. From high above, on God’s golf course... just about to tee off...Riaz thanks you.
