Navroji Rustamji Mistri (Choa Chu Kang Parsi Cemetery)

Mr. Navroji Rustamji Mistri (N.R. Mistri) was born in Bombay and trained as a engineer. He came to Singapore in 1909 and worked with Sir. John Aird & Co. in the building of Keppel Harbour. After that he went on to joined Framroze in his aerated water business but later in 1925 branched out on his to start the Phoenix Aerated Water Company which was located at Palmer Road. He was later also the Managing Director of the G.H. Cafe. 

N.R. Mistri was awarded the King's Commendation in 5 August 1947 for services rendered to British prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation.  

Mr. Navroji Rustamji Mistri (N.R. Mistri)

After suffering a long illness, he passed away the General Hospital. He was a bachelor when died. The funeral left from his residence in 73 Grange Road.

Mr. Navroji Rustamji Mistri (N.R. Mistri) funeral at the Parsi Cemetery at Tampines

The God father of the Poor and his $1 million donation

In 1952, he donated $950,000 to build a pediatric wing at Singapore General Hospital - the Mistri Wing and prior to that he also donated $50,000 to the University of Malaya for the purchase of medical equipment for research and studies (hence often referred as the $1 million donation). The then Governor, Sir. John Nicoll declared that "the late Mr. N.R. Mistri was a philanthropist in the real sense of the term". on the occasion of the foundation laying of the "Mistri Children Wing" at the General Hospital. The late Mr. N.R. Mistri, the founder of the Phoenix Aerated Water Work Ltd donated $950,000 and the foundation stone was laid by his brother, Mr. H.R. Mistri. 

Mistri Wing extension (Singapore General Hospital)

Road Named After Mistri

The Singapore City Council has decided in 1954 to give names to three roads off Shenton Way. These will be called: Mistri Road (after the late Mr. N.R. Mistri), Parsi Road and Prince Edward Lane.

Phoenix Aerated Water Company

The Man Who Thought of Everyone 

Navroji Rustamji Mistri has bequeathed over $1.5 million dollars cash to his family and his personal friends. In his will, he bequeath to 46 people (family, close friends and humble servants of the soda water factory) a total of $1,515,000. The employees of the G.H. Cafe in Singapore will share $10,000 with the Phoenix Aerated Water Company if they have been in the company's employment for more than 5 years. 10 and 15 years employees will get proportionately larger shares of the $10,000

2 men (his solicitor and personal friend, Mr. Kenneth Seth and Mr. Mistri's brother, Hormasji Rustamji Mistri) have been left houses in Grange Road, Singapore. 

The remainder of the late millionaire's fortunate in real estate and property is to be divided in two equal sums from which 2 Mistri Trusts will be created (Mistri Singapore Trust and Mistri Bombay Trust). The trustees have been directed to apply the funds for the benefit of poor children and scholarships. 

[researching ong-going] 

Location of tomb 

Mr. Navroji Rustamji Mistri (N.R. Mistri) tomb is easily identifiable and is located within the restricted compounds of the Parsi Cemetery at Choa Chu Kang. Next to him is the tomb of Phirozshaw Maneckji Framroz (P.M. Framroz). The bird on top of his marble casket i believe is a Phoneix, representing his beloved company, the Phoenix Aerated Water Company. 

 Navroji Rustamji Mistri (N.R. Mistri)
Singapore 29 October 1953 

References

Mistri Gift to Aid Poor Sick. (1952, June 15). Sunday Standard, page 1 

Mistri was a real philanthropist. (1954, March 3). Indian Daily Mail. page 1

Mr. Mistri, man who thought of everyone. (1953, November 26). Straits Budget, page 14 

Road Named After Mistri. (1954, September 14). Singapore Standard 
Million dollar Mistri. (2015, October 2). Tabla, page 1