Old Boy - Down the Memory Lane – Lasallians Remembered

Posted on the OBA Chatboard by Dr. Robert Yuen Kar Ngai (71) on 29 July 2005

Quote: It was with regret that we heard of the news that Dr. CHAN Wai Kai, a prominent Catholic ophthamologist in private practice in Central and old boy of LSC in its early days had passed away recently. He had been, among other things, Honorary Lecturer in Ophthamologist of HKU, teaching generations of medical students the clinical science of eye diseases and Master of the Guild of St. Luke (Hong Kong Catholic Doctors’ Association). He would be long remembered as a gentle and generous doctor with deep empathy for his patients and their families. Unquote

Dr Chan was also the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society between 1969 and 1971.

The following was posted on the OBA Chatboard (modified) on David Cheung’s passing.

RIP David Cheung (63) Dear All

I am very saddened to share with you that David Cheung (63), a former loyal Committee Member of the LSCOBA for many years, passed away early Wednesday morning, 20th January 2010. David suffered from cancer, which was discovered middle of 2009.

David was extremely proud to be a Lasallian, and he had been a loyal supporter of Lasallian affairs for many years.

At 11 years old, David left Pooi To (培道) Primary School and entered LSC’s P5 in January 1956 (at that time LSPS was not yet open). The school was then located on Perth Street. In Sept 1956, he repeated P5 as the academic standard of his former school was different from La Salle’s. In September 1957, David entered the new LSPS grounds on La Salle Road as a P6 boy. David entered LSC F1 in 1959, which was still occupying the Perth Street Campus, so he had to move from LSPS La Salle Road to Perth Street. In F2, he returned to La Salle Road campus as the school moved back to La Salle Road after the British Army released the building back to the Brothers.

So he used to tell me that, as a kid, he had a very confused childhood, as he didn’t understand why he had to move school (campus) all the time!! David offered me much help with my research into Perth Street, through his many stories and personal memories, like opening an umbrella in a leaking classroom during heavy rain, folding paper boats and setting them off in a flooded classroom, burning the grass of the hill behind the school etc.

David studied all the way to F7 in LSC, and then left HK for studies in N. America.

David was a faithful supporter of many school events and sports competitions. When I played soccer for La Salle in the early 1980s, David was already watching interschool games. Besides, David was always full of life. He was a globe-trotter and visited dozens of countries worldwide in all continents, including many very exotic destinations. He once told me he had visited all provinces of China, including the origins of Huang Ho in Qinghai Province, and I think he had to engage a jeep and a driver and it took days of poor roads to get there. David had been a travel columnist for a magazine, sharing his travel tales.

Besides his travel, David had achieved some outstanding episodes in life that few could match. He had completed many 100Km Oxfam HK Trailwalkers and half marathrons through the years, and also completed many Sower Action walks to Guangzhou from HK, fund raising for the charity. However, those achievements were only warm-ups for this man’s ultimate challenge of his life, a 2,800 kilometres walk from HK to Beijing, also for Sower’s Action to raise funds for China’s needy school children. While participants could take part by picking different stages of the walk to Beijing, David is said to be the only participant to walk every day of the 120 day walk, two others who walked the full journey were taken ill on some of the days in between. The group walked 6 days a week, and on the rest day, David still had energy to go to the local Chinese discos for some dancing and fun, he recalled. On the journey, David he wore out three pairs of shoes and shed quite a few pounds on the way, and he was very happy all through the journey.

David was still serving in the OBA Committee up to the term 2008-09. In June 2009, at an OBA Committee dinner gathering, the committee gave David a surprise birthday celebration, and he could not stop smiling that evening. Unfortunately, soon after, David learnt that he had cancer in the throat.

I visited David just before Christmas in his office, and although he was considerably thinner, he was still relatively bright. As an insurance agent, he was still eagerly “running numbers”, and was proud to show me he was still one the top of top agents in his team, and was due to win another trip! As we departed at our last encounter, he still offered me a firm handshake, and I told him to keep fighting and he gave me a nod. A few weeks ago, the man happily went on the last earthly trip, to Vietnam. Good for him! He returned to HK on the 16th January, and recommenced work on 18th January. He was still working on 19th January, and he passed away on the 20th January. This guy truly lives life to its full, and with no regrets.

Many of us in La Salle will remember David in our own fond way. At the Committee meeting of the OBA later that January, the Committee observed a minute’s silence for David.

From being much a senior to me, seeing me play football for LSC when I was in my early teens in the early 1980s, David became a life long friend of mine, enjoying hikes, jokes, the Trailwalker, hearty meals, stories and pranks, and also serving the interests for old boys in the OBA in the committee. Please pray for the soul of David, and we will see him in heaven later.

David, who turned closer to God in his final days, was a bachelor and lived with his father, stepmother and one of his younger sisters in Kowloon City, the same place he called home since at least his 1950s La Salle Perth Street days.

With a heavy heart,
Mark Huang (85)

Photos of David on his 2,800Km walk to Beijing. David is wearing shorts in the center in the first photo, and the only one wearing shorts in the second.

The following was shared by Mark Huang (85) on 18 Sep-2000

We are saddened to learn of the passing away of fellow our brother and Old Boy, Godfrey da Silva (74). After a brief illness, Godfrey passed away peacefully in Middlesex, UK on 31 August 2000, while travelling. He was 42. Born in 1958, Godfrey spent his secondary school years from 1969 to 1976 in La Salle College, completing Matriculation at class Form 7A in 1976. He was known for his interest in drama and plays. After graduation from La Salle College, he loyally served in the Hong Kong Police Force for 21 years since 1979 till his untimely death. His last posting in the Police Force was with the Homantin Division as a Senior Police Inspector. A Memorial Service will be held on 21 September 2000, Thursday, at Rosary Church, Chatham Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, commencing at 2:45 PM. All Lasallians are welcome. Godfrey was unmarried, and is survived by his family. On behalf of all Lasallians, we send our deepest sympathy to Godfrey’s family, and pray for God’s blessings on Godfrey’s soul. Regards Mark Huang

The following was shared by Alexander Cheung (82) on 14-Jun-03 00:14 Dear Fellow Old Boys, I am sorry to inform you that Eddy Fong, Shek Kong(42) has passed away, and his funeral will be held at the R.H. Kane Funeral Home on Yonge Street on Monday(16th), details are in today’s Chinese newspapaers.Eddy was one of the pre-war students in LSC, and his son Albert Fong and his grandchild are both Lasallians. Eddy served as director for our Chapter in the capacity of VP in the 80’s. I had the privilage of meeting See Hing Fong recently in May, and am indeed sadened to know of his passing. Let us pray for his family and may his soul rest in peace. Alexander K.Y. Cheung President Toronto HKLSOBA

Felix Goebel-Komala, son of the late Joseph Padang Sastrono Komala and the late Kathleen Klin Pualam, passed away peacefully in his home from cancer and a stroke on November 2, 2016 at 8:58 pm in Findlay, Ohio. Felix was born May 11, 1961 in Hong Kong and attended La Salle Primary School and La Salle College in Hong Kong. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Iowa in 1983, and served in music ministry at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, St. Francis Catholic Church in Moorhead, Minnesota, and St. Philip the Apostle Church in Bakersfield, CA before coming to St. Michael the Archangel Parish in 1995 as Director of Liturgy and Music.

Felix was united in holy Matrimony to Mary Goebel-Komala, whom he met in 1986 in Moorhead, MN, and they were married on June 14, 1987. In December 2005, they adopted Felicity, their daughter from the Jianxin Orphanage in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.

Felix was passionate about music – listening, playing, composing, performing and mentoring young musicians. Among the many compositions he created, including several hymns and Psalm settings, he is most known for his signature piece entitled “Psalm of Hope,” which is published by GIA Publications, and is sung during Masses in many Catholic parishes throughout the United States. Additionally, Felix was an active member of the Toledo Diocesan Liturgical Commission for many years, as well as the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and the American Guild of Organists. His knowledge of both music and Catholic worship was appreciated by many, and his expertise was highly valued.

Felix also enjoyed regular visits with family members and friends in his native Hong Kong, and he displayed his affection for his native land and its culture by the clothing he wore and the food he enjoyed. Additionally, Felix was actively involved in the Women’s Resource Center of Hancock County, and was an avid tennis player.

Felix’s Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Michael the Archangel Church, on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Felix is survived by his wife of 29 years, Mary, and their daughter Felicity, and sisters Sussy Komala, Wilma Komala and Merly Khouw.

Eulogy for Felix Goebel-Komala
Delivered by Sussy Komala, Sister of Felix on November 8, 2016

Let me begin with a story. The year was either 1984 or ’85, possibly even ’86. It was early morning on Good Friday, sometime between 2 and 4 am. I started awake, crying, from a dream that my brother Felix had died. Disturbed, I called him. He was also awake. How strange, he said, I’ve been feeling depressed recently, and then we spoke for an hour or so, during which time he talked about all that was on his mind, his music, dreams, religion, work. Life.

I share this intimate memory of Felix when he was a young man, long before he became a member of this community, at a time when he was still trying to shape the path of his life, before he met our sister-in-law Mary and became Felix Goebel-Komala.

My brother has always lived the examined life. He was never afraid to share his feelings and struggles and uncertainties, in conversations over long distance phone lines, or in person, while in transit, later on email, in the myriad ways our family connects and meets. My brother Felix instinctively knew the need to seek the truth, the way all artists must, which is not to be satisfied with the surface of things, but to dredge the heart in the darkest and most painful moments of our existence. Felix always had the courage to confront his fears, to give voice to his doubts. In time, he would give voice to that truth in his beautiful composition “Psalm of Hope” — my God, my God, why have you abandoned me. And in its existential crisis the song returns to the amazing grace that saved and set me free.

But I also tell you the story of this brief, private moment to speak to the importance of family for Felix. We who have always been a part of his life know the consolation of family for our darker times. When my father died unexpectedly and abruptly, it was Felix’s voice that comforted us. He sang “O Holy Night,” recalling the way Dad sang every Christmas. The power and purity of our brother’s voice was uplifting, inspiring, and allowed us to grieve into the sanctum of eternity.

Felix is the youngest of four siblings, the only boy among three sisters who teased, bullied, harassed him — “Wait first, wait a minute!” — he would exclaim in exasperation when we rushed him, pushing the limits as children will. He was our Felix the Cat, of course, the boy who made us laugh, who became the joyous, creative man, a loving and generous human being, the brother who was there at our side when family celebrates, laughs, explodes and cries.

When my mother’s behavior choked into a sputtering, inexplicable mode, it was our brother who had the courage to obtain that devastating diagnosis, Alzheimer’s. And it forced us to face the truth of what that meant, of how all our lives would have to change. It was easier to confront with Felix, because he knew Mum in a special way that allowed him to help her, which eased the path for the rest of us to do the right thing.

And here we are today, to honor his memory, and we see who our brother became, the legacy he leaves us as composer, singer, musician, tennis player, liturgist. A member of this community. In the days before today, we sifted through messages from relatives, friends and strangers who care about him. Right now, I am staring at a sea of mostly strangers, and I know Felix must be greatly loved and cherished for so many of you to be here today.

For us, his sisters, we are most grateful for the loving people Felix brought into our lives. When we met Mary Goebel, the woman he wanted to marry, we all instantly liked her, and in time, she became much more than a sister-in-law, because we named her our “fifth sib.” Together, Mary and Felix gave us the even greater gift of their daughter Felicity.

So let me leave you with this image of Felix and Felicity when she was just a little girl, in Hong Kong on board the MTR, the city’s subway that the three of us were riding together. Felix was carrying Felicity. Suddenly, she stuck her hands up in the air and grabbed the handlebars across the top of the carriage and swung herself forward across the car, legs dangling. My brother followed her as the passengers gazed, amazed, at this agile little monkey girl up in the air. Fearless, Felix said. Just fearless.

I’ve told my niece that her dad will always be with her. Felix Goebel-Komala is indeed The Man in our lives, and more importantly, he will forever be that man in all our hearts.

Sussy Komala
Sister of Felix

Alumnus and former RTV General Manager, Mr Steve Huang passed away in March 2005.

The Old Boys community is saddened to learn of the passing away of the school’s former soccer team captain, Ko Bo Keung on 17 June 2009. Ko was a soccer legend in Hong Kong, and had been captain of the South China and the Eastern soccer teams, capturing numerous honours. The following are some news reports of his unexpected death, at age of 79. The last paragraph in the Apple Daily report reads: “Ko, a very respected player in the professional HK soccer circle, graduated from La Salle College. Ko was also a top sprinter, and was recruited to South China’s A Team at the age of 17 [in 1947], becoming the youngest midfield player of the time. He was later also recruited into the HK team, and two years later he was made captain of South China.” Ko also subsequently became the captain of the HK team. May Ko’s soul rest in peace. And thank you to Senior Ko for leading La Salle to its glorious soccer achievements immediately after WWII. If any old boy has personal stories or memories of Ko, or found interesting stories of Ko from any media, please share them at the entry for Ko in the Lasallians Remembered section.

Readers can gain a glimpse of HK’s glorious soccer days in the 1940s and 1950s through this link, where Ko played his part faithfully. http://hksan.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6967