A former Carnoustie restaurateur has died suddenly at the age of 45.
Zaheer Ali, who was prominent through the Benazir Restaurant in the town, was found dead in his home in Barnes Avenue, Dundee, after suffering a stomach haemorrhage.
In accordance with the Muslim faith, he was buried quickly after his death last month and his sister Ayesha said news of the tragedy is still reaching many of his friends.
“It came as a complete shock to all who knew him, including his family,” she said. “It seems Zaheer did have a medical problem but he didn’t tell us about it, which is a shame.
“The problem continued and he was found dead at his home. When we were told it came as a terrible shock.
“People are still finding out about his death and expressing their sympathies, which is comforting to us.”
Born in Dundee, Zaheer was educated at Morgan Academy. He worked in the Kinghorn Bar then in the family restaurant at the Benazir in High Street, Carnoustie.
They sold the business after the death of his father Zadiq Ali, and Zaheer worked for a spell with sister Ayesha and husband Kevin Martin in their Bonavista Property Management Company. He left to look after his mother Irene.
Well known in Dundee’s Muslim community, his funeral at Dundee Central Mosque in Brown Street and then Birkhill Cemetery was attended by about 800 mourners.