A shipping magnate who contributed millions of pounds to heritage sites in Greenwich has died.
Sammy Ofer, 89, reckoned to be Israel's richest man, died on Friday. He, together with his brother Yuli, were estimated to be worth $10.3billion (USD)
Ofer had donated £20million to the National Maritime Musuem and his death comes just weeks before the new Sammy Ofer Wing is due to open.
The philanthropist also contributed millions of pounds towards the restoration of the Cutty Sark.
The Leader of Greenwich Council, Cllr Chris Roberts, commented:
"I learned of the sad death of Sammy Ofer last week. His commitment and support to the Maritime Heritage of Greenwich is almost unsurpassed.
I am delighted that he was able to witness the progress of both the South West Wing of the National Maritime Museum which will bear his name and the Cutty Sark to which he also contributed.
The NMM expansion simply could not have taken place without his generous support and the iconic interpretation of the Cutty Sark would also not have been possible without him."
Councillor Nigel Fletcher, deputy leader of Greenwich Conservatives and spokesman on heritage issues, commented:
"Sammy Ofer made a huge contribution to preserving and enhancing the maritime heritage of Greenwich, and his generous donations mean he will be remembered for years to come. It's a great shame he died just a month before the opening of the museum wing that bears his name, but it will now stand as a lasting memorial."
Updated 07/06/2011
The Chairman of the National Maritime Musuem, Lord Sterling, has given this response to Sammy Ofer's passing:
"We were deeply saddened to hear the news that Sammy Ofer died early on Friday morning. He was a very close personal friend of mine and had been ill for some considerable period of time and had grown very frail.
"It nevertheless gives us all great pleasure that we were able to have the cornerstone ceremony for the new Wing, last year, enjoyed by Sammy and his whole family: also that, even in recent months, he enjoyed coming with his wife to see the Museum and took great pleasure in seeing our hopes and aspirations taking shape. Our new wing would not be possible without his generous gift of £21m.
"His family and in particular his two sons, Eyal and Idan, continue to take a great interest in the Museum and its affairs, and the Sammy Ofer Wing, the opening of which will be celebrated on 12 July."
[…] Ofer died just a few weeks before the completion of the […]