Biography
Our beloved Lasallian and chapter’s soccer team player Baltazar P. Aguirre ’77, a.k.a. “Jing”, aged 61, passed away peacefully on June 15th 2022.
Baltazar was an active Old Boy. He represented us to play in the North American La Salle Old Boys Soccer Tournament for many years. His dedication and determination always helped our team move towards victory.
Off the field, he was a kind and gentle person with true La Salle spirit. He had a special kind of calmness and friendliness that made people take an immediate liking to him. In addition to his work in the family business, he joined the Daly City Policy Station as a Police Assistant for 21 years of dedicated services. He was also a devout Catholic who served as a Sacristan for 10 years at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in San Francisco. He lived his faith in a humble and quiet way and served the community with zeal and faith.
He brought us so many great memories, and will always live in our hearts.
May he rest in peace in God’s embrace.
Obituary
Beloved son, brother and uncle, Baltazar Juan P. Aguirre III, passed away peacefully in Our Lord’s Grace at 1:13 am, Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
Baltazar was called Jing as a nickname by family members. He was named after his father, Baltazar, Jr. and his patron saint, St. John the Baptist. He was born to Baltazar Aguirre, Jr. and Carmen Aguirre, in Manila, Philippines, on June 24, 1960. He was educated by the La Salle Brothers, both in Hong Kong British Crown Colony and in the Philippines. He was a phenomenal athlete in school, being a gifted soccer player and track and field star that won him awards including his winning goal that gave La Salle High School Greenhills, the NCAA Championship over Ateneo High School.
He graduated from the University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus) with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the military after completing ROTC. He successfully completed the Army Ranger course earning him the coveted “Ranger” tab. He was a member of the University of the Philippines Vanguard Fraternity (U.P. Banaag, Class of 1981).
He emigrated to the United States in 1986 and worked at his brother’s family business in San Francisco. Baltazar joined the Daly City Police Department as a Police Assistant in 1998, retiring in 2019 after 21 years of dedicated service. As “PA5” (his radio call-sign), he was assigned to the Traffic Division, performing parking enforcement duties and concurrently served as the department’s Court Liaison Officer. He was one of the first Police Assistants to be assigned as Court Officer.
Baltazar’s role as a Court Officer provided him with a deeper appreciation of how the justice system works, from arrest to prosecution and judgement, and witnessed the hard work and dedication of Daly City’s detectives and patrol officers. He valued the relationships he developed over the years with the Department’s Investigation Division, Patrol, Property, Records, as well as the County’s District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and the Superior Court Judges he worked with.
He had a keen interest in current events and history and was well versed particularly in foreign policies and international affairs, an interest he inherited from his late father. He was a car enthusiast and had the skill of identifying second-hand vehicles in pristine condition. He liked to relax by watching the English Premier League soccer games, documentaries, classic car shows and vintage television shows.
As a former school athlete, it was always a joyful experience for him to play in the La Salle Old Boys soccer tournament as part of their annual reunion. It was an opportunity for him to reconnect with former classmates, teammates and teachers from Hong Kong. He also enjoyed meeting up with his U.P. Vanguard fraternity brothers at their gatherings. His other interests were learning how to play the piano and taking up Italian lessons.
Baltazar was a devout Catholic who lived his faith in a humble and quiet way. He served as a Sacristan for ten (10) years at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in San Francisco. He had deep devotions to the Holy Eucharist, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Divine Mercy.
He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Daly City and Star of the Sea Catholic Church in San Francisco. He organized the annual Divine Mercy Sunday celebration at St. Bruno’s Church in San Bruno for over twenty (20) years. He volunteered every year for the 40 Days For Life by standing in prayerful vigil outside the Planned Parenthood at Baywood, San Mateo. He loved and defended the unborn.
He had a fraternal love for his Priest friends who supported him with their Masses and prayers, and with whom he shared a deep relationship with the Lord. He would also assist some pastors he knew, in facilitating with the Police Department for the orderly traffic flow when they held outdoor religious processions during parish festivals.
On June 12, 2022, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, he was received into the Dominican Order (Order of Preachers) as a member of the Dominican Laity of the Corpus Christi Chapter in Menlo Park, of which his sister Charo is also a member. He was generous with his time helping the Chapter with their events, driving them to retreats. He had a special bond with the Dominican nuns of Corpus Christi Menlo Park, helping them with their photography needs during special occasions at their Monastery.
He loved to travel and most of his travels were with his sisters, Magda and Charo. He was able to make Marian Pilgrimages to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, France and Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.
In 2009, on a trip to the Vatican with his two sisters, he personally met and spoke with Pope Benedict XVI during the General Audience.
In 2013, during a trip to Rome to attend Pope Benedict XVI’s final audience, Baltazar was interviewed by the Catholic News Agency which was published in the San Francisco Catholic.
In 2015 he organized a special family 3-country trip to Europe (France, Italy and England) touring seven cities highlighted by a visit to see the Shroud of Turin in public display, a trip to Normandy, France for the 71st anniversary of D-Day and, being a lifelong Manchester United Football Club supporter, watched the Legends match against Bayern Munich at their stadium at Old Trafford.
In 2016, he went to Spain with his sisters to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican Order, visiting Madrid and Barcelona as well as St. Dominic’s birthplace in Caleruega.
In November 2017, he and his sisters made a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.
In 2018, Baltazar had an opportunity to bond with his two brothers, Dennis and Ray by making a special trip to Scotland to watch The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. They also went to London to watch a Chelsea Football Club soccer match at Stamford Bridge.
Baltazar was a beloved brother to Maria Magdalena (Magda), Dennis, Maria Rosario (Charo) and Raymund (Ray) Aguirre. He was a loving uncle who was affectionately called “Tito Jing” by Kevin (wife Mary), Ryan and Christen Aguirre (children of Dennis) and Matthew Aguirre (son of Ray).
He will be deeply missed by many because of his kindness and compassion for others. He was a true gentleman and a man of integrity. He will always be remembered for his goodness, generosity, selflessness and joyful disposition.
Above all, his life centered on love for God and neighbor, manifested in his fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church, his service to the public and his undying devotion to his family. His reward awaits him now.
In Heaven!
Biography
Brother Augustus Barry was born on 14th October 1909 in Burma. He arrived in Hong Kong on 6th January 1932. Brother Augustus taught Class 3 till his transfer to Mandalay on 22nd April 1933. He died in Rangoon (now called Yangon) in 1934.
Biography
Brother Hugh Bates was Irish, coming from Clonmel, County Tipperary. In 1930, he entered the Senior Novitiate and after four years of scholastic training, he chose to work in the East. He started off in St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore and then worked in several schools in Malaysia. At the end of the War, he came to La Salle College. Brother Hugh was a workaholic who seemed to be happy only with working. Unfortunately, he could only stay with La Salle College for three years. At the age of 41, he died suddenly on 31st May 1953 in the Perth Street campus.
Biography
Brother Ubald Bloemen was born on 23rd August 1912 in Germany. He arrived in Hong Kong on 25th April 1933. He taught Class 2. In 1936, he was transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong. He passed away in Manila in 1974.
Biography
Brother Casimir L’Angellier was born in Singapore, 5 May 1900. He belonged to a highly respected, staunch, long-standing Catholic family. After receiving his early education in St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore, he was among the first novices to join the Da La Salle Brothers at the newly opened Novitiate in Kuala Lumpur, 1916.
After his religious and pedagogical training, he taught with success in Singapore and Malaysia. He held the post of Principal for more than 20 years. In 1970, he came to Hong Kong to help Brother Paul Sun in St. Joseph’s Anglo-Chinese School. When his health deteriorated slightly he returned to help in La Salle Primary School.
He suffered a stroke in 1971 and was confined to St. Teresa’s Hospital where he remained an example of calm, patience and resignation to God’s will until his death on 18 December [1975] – exactly one week short of his Golden Jubilee of Perpetual Profession as a Brother. He made his profession in the Order of the Brothers on Christmas Day, 1925.
The Brothers wish to record their sincere thanks to the Sisters and Nursing Staff of St. Teresa’s Hospital who over the past years rendered Brother Casimir such persevering, loving and devoted care.
The above is directly copied from the Hong Kong Catholic Church website.
http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/L-Casimir.htm
Biography
Dr. Chan completed his primary and secondary education at La Salle College, Hong Kong. He thereafter graduated from University of Hong Kong and received his first medical degrees. He further obtained professional qualifications from the United Kingdom. He was awarded Fellowships by a number of Medical Professional Institutions and qualified as a specialist in Cardiology, Hong Kong Medical Council in 1999. Since graduation, Dr. Chan served as a medical doctor at Queen Mary Hospital, Grantham Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital until he started his private practice in 1985. Throughout his professional life, Dr. Chan had also provided medical care to low-income households at Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Workers Medical Clinics. He was well praised by his patients for his devotion and selflessness. He was survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Dawn and son Leo.
Biography
As posted by Edward ‘BB’ Ko (1980) on June 27, 2008. (Please view with Chinese Big 5 software) Unquote I am saddened to report the passing away of fellow classmate, 陳德堅 Kenneth Chan Tak Kin earlier this month. He is survived by his wife Gloria. Kenneth will always be remembered as an extremely talented musician, having written numerous songs recorded by major artists (who can forget 幾分鐘的約會 sung by Danny Chan” ) and a big time prankster, but above all, a most caring friend. He will be missed dearly. Unquote Kenneth’s biography as found in Tom Lee Music Foundation, where Kenneth worked, is as follows: 陳德堅 自幼在家庭的薰陶下接觸音樂，更愛上音樂創作；於喇沙書院畢業後便從事音樂工作，曾創作了不少膾炙人口的流行歌曲。陳氏自一九八零年起成為C.A.S.H.協會的會員並於同年加入通利音樂基金會任職電子琴導師。翼年，陳氏勇奪YAMAHA電子琴大賽的傑出阜峌獎，更連續三年奪得該浦猗。 非常享受教學生活的陳氏往後更專注於兒童音樂教育工作，並於一九八五年起出任YAMAHA兒童音樂課程之首席導師達十多年之久。陳氏於一九九五年考獲YAMAHA電子琴及Fundamental三級考試，即達 國際 認可 之 導師級 水平 。陳氏自一九九八年起即出任 YAMAHA 兒童音樂課程總監一職。Kenneth自言最大的得著便是看見學生們一天一天的進步，那種內心喜悅及滿足感確是非筆墨所能形容。這亦是他鞭策自己的一大推動力! Kenneth’s biography as posted on the Tom Lee Music Foundation as the Director of YAMAHA Courses: Kenneth Chan started his piano lessons under the influence of his parents and fell for music composition since then. He started his career as a composer after graduating from La Salle College and composed lots of classic songs which captured audiences’ heart. He became a member of the Composer and Author Society of H.K.(C.A.S.H.) since 1980 and joined Tom Lee Music Foundation as an Electone Teacher at the same time. Kenneth won the Outstanding Performance Award of the Yamaha Electone Festival for 3 consecutive years since 1981. Kenneth had fully devoted his time & energy in Yamaha music education system and became the Head Teacher of Yamaha Children Music Course since 1985. He obtained the Yamaha Electone & Fundamental Grade 3 in 1995 and became the Music Director of the Yamaha Children Music Course since 1998. His pleasure in teaching is the fulfillment and happiness brought from his students. His enthusiasm urges him to make steady progress everyday!
Biography
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.
Biography
Brother Anthony Cheung, La Salle Brother, passed away, in Assunta Hospital in the early hours of 25 May 1999 after a long illness. Soon after retirement in 1997 he was not in the best of health but remained reasonably active till his admission to Assunta Hospital on 5 April. Brother Anthony Cheung, though born in Hong Kong, chose to remain in Malaysia to exercise his ministry in five La Sallian establishments. Wherever he was, be it in Penang, Taiping, Kowloon, lpoh or Petaling Jaya, he was noted as a man of many talents which he put to use for the good of his students, readers and subjects in training. He is better known as the editor of the popular students’ magazine “Crusader” which was always looked forward to by the students in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Through this ministry he built a wide network of friends and well-wishers who donated generously to his charitable works for the orphans and poor of India. Over and above his main interest in publishing the “Crusader”, later renamed “The Young Lasallian”, he was the indefatigable secretary and confidante to five Provincials that spanned a record-breaking 30 years. Information obtained from http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/A-Cheung.htm According to a Br. Felix in Malaysia advised that Br. Anthony Cheung is buried in Cheras Christian Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur. When in KL, visitors can take a taxi to the cemetery. One should follow the road to the top of hill to his left where there is a small unused reception chapel. The Brothers are buried in a straight row to the right of the chapel as one approaches it. Br. Felix (residing in Petaling Jaya, a suburb of KL) says he is willing to assist with a visit help if necessary or the Brothers at St John’s Institution could also help. If any Old Boy visits the cemetery, please take photos of the graves and send them to the [email protected], as there may be other Brothers who worked in HK (not only LSC) who are buried there, and the OBA would like to help the Brothers in Hong Kong with such findings. Thank you.
| Contributed by: | TC 2012-05-21 18:46:01 |
| Description: | I was one of those who lived with Br Anthony Cheung in Petaling Jaya. I was under his tutelage; there were more than 15 at one stage. He was the Director of the Scholasticate programme. He taught cathecism in La Salle Primary School (Br. Leo was Headmaster). He was an inspiration to all the young Lasallians through his publication which was very popular. He also used to collect and re-sell used stamps and the money was sent to India. Many well-wishers used to collect used stamps and they would arrive; a great place for teenage schoolboys to spend hours looking through and selecting the used stamps. What strikes me most was he was a Brother that gave out red packets during Chinese New Year and we all looked forward to that; especially those who did not go back home. He was a Brother. And he was family. |
| Contributed by: | Chu T C’71 2004-08-24 19:50:10 |
| Description: | As far as I know, he never taught at LSPS but only at LSC. Aside from the above contributions, Bro. Anthony-Philip was well known for his work in setting up and was the conductor/music director of the LSC orchestra. During the summer holidays, he and the late Bro. Henry organised boating and swimming outings for the orchestral members and families. Another area he was actively involved in was in “training and recruiting” (I do not know the religious term)young men as future Brothers. He had four under his “tutelage” at one time but unfortunately, the program did not achieve the successes that we all hoped for. |
Biography
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.
Biography
The following was shared by Mike Kwong (67) on 30 Sep 2003: Dear all: Mr. Chu, our LS teacher who used to teach our Chinese was passed away on Sept 23 [2003], in Hong Kong from massive heart attack. Let us pray for our respected teacher and let our prayers and sympathy be passed on to his family & friends. His picture, during his visit to Edmonton a while back, could be seen in our chapter’s photo album. Regards, Mike Kwong The following was a sharing from Chris Leung, a former student, on the passing of Mr Chu: Chris Leung on Mr Chu while he was a student in LSC: “Mr. Chu taught us Chinese Literature and Chinese History for many years (from F1 – F.5). If I am not mistaken, I also had him for Matric. We called him “CHU LO” who took over the Chinese subjects from Mr. Yip Wing Lam. Despite his boring teaching style, he was a great teacher who always prepared for his lessons. He was a gentleman who took his responsibilities seriously. He also made life easier for us with his notes. We took advantage of his “softness” by calling him names all the time, but he was not offended because he loved his students. It was sad to hear he passed away after his two visits to Edmonton. Chris” (end of quote) The photo attached shows a visit of Mr Chu to Edmonton in the early 1990s. Left to right are: Mike Kwong, Edmund Tse, Mr Chu Yum Kwan, Chris Leung and Dr. Louis Chan.
Biography
Brother Basilien Coin was born on 9th June 1873 in France. The date of his arrival to Hong Kong was on 22nd August while the year could not be traced. He was the Prefect of Boarders. He died in Indo-China (today’s Vietnam) in 1944.
Biography
Brother Cairnan Costello was born on 2nd February 1875 in Ireland. He arrived in Hong Kong on 6th January 1932 and taught Class 6. He died in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1950.
Biography
Brother Michael Curtin was born to a religious family on 20th March 1908 (some source states it was 26th March 1908) in London (Kensington). His grand uncle was a pioneer of the Irish Christian Brothers (not the same as Christian Brothers) in India and two of his cousins were in the Presentation Order. As a boy, he met a little French Brother of distinguished personality who inspired him much. At the age of 14, he joined the Juniorate of the Brothers in Guernsey (London) in 1922. After passing the London Matric, he was sent to Dover Novitiate and took the Holy Habit i.e. officially entered the Order in 1924 at the age of 16. He took his final vows in 1933. Brother Michael came to Hong Kong in 1933, and took charge of the newly opened Matriculation Class of La Salle College. These boys took their Matric Examination in June 1935 and captured all the scholarships offered by the University of Hong Kong. During the war, he was interned in Indo-China (now called Vietnam) and then returned to Europe. Brother Michael partially lost his hearing during the internment. With a hearing-aid, he carried on with his teaching. In 1952, Brother Raphael, then Director of St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong called Brother Michael back to take over the Matric Class of St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong. Nine years later, he returned to La Salle College. He was the Editor of the LaSallite for many years. In 1967, when Brother Casimir went on leave for 9 months, Brother Michael became the Acting Principal of La Salle College. Brother Michael joked that he was always the bridesmaid and never the bride! In 1973, on his retirement, he was given the post of Careers Master and Counsellor. Brother Michael was very active outside the school. He was elected a Committee Member of the Catholic Educational Council, a Co-Founder of the Hong Kong Association of Careers Master, the Panel Chairman of the Specified Modern Languages for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education. He also served on the Advanced Board of Modern Languages (HKU). In recognition of his contribution to Catholic education and education generally in Hong Kong, on the Queen’s Birthday, 1975, he was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) Brother Michael died in St. Teresa’s Hospital, Hong Kong on 25th November 1983. Brother Raphael revealed a secret at the mass of resurrection of Brother Michael: Brother Michael always cared about the minor staff and insisted every year that all of them should receive Christmas gifts. _____________________________________________ The following information is obtained from The Catholic Archives http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/M-Curtin.htm Brother Michael J. Curtin, FSC, one of the leaders of education in Hong Kong, died at St. Teresa’s Hospital on Friday, 15 November 1983, aged 75. He had been ill for many months, but the end came very peacefully. Brother Michael came to Hong Kong in 1932, and spent the following 51 years at La Salle and St. Joseph’s Colleges, with a wartime and post-war interval in education in Indochina. For most of that time he was busy in the classroom as an original, vigorous and inspiring teacher. Even after his retirement from formal teaching he remained an educational force in La Salle and a valuable adviser on all educational matters. His contribution to Catholic education here was not confined to the schools he taught in. He was a founder-member of the Catholic Education Council and became its first Vice Chairman, retaining that post for many years. With his accustomed cheerful generosity, he accepted the arduous task of refining and redrafting the constitution of the Council to make it acceptable to the Register of Societies. He was also a founder-member of the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and gave devoted and expert attention to the progress of the Association. He himself shone in careers guidance, and he worked hard to promote this demanding and very valuable side of education. A recent Education Department circular on the Careers Work of La Salle College said that “the extensive careers and guidance team which consists of 13 teachers and a school social worker is one of the strongest teams in Hong Kong.” That team is largely the fruit of Brother Michael’s devoted work. His M.B.E. was well merited. All this gives a picture of an original and deeply committed educationalist. It cannot give a portrait of the man himself and cannot explain the deep affection in which he was held or the grief that the announcement of his death aroused. He was a man of high intelligence, broad sympathies, wide culture and unfailing charm. His sense of humour was quick and appreciative. His laugh was all his own: his whole body shook with amusement and his eyes shone forth appreciative understanding, but there was no sound; it was a silent laugh that expressed much more than the ordinary laugher’s roar. In a moving homily at the Mass of the Resurrection in St. Teresa’a Church on 28 November, Brother Raphael, Principal of La Salle College, mentioned something that only Brother Michael’s own community could know: his constant care for the welfare of the minor staff and his annual insistence that all of them should received Christmas gifts. It is useless to labour such details. Brother Michael was loved because he was Brother Michael. To know him was a liberal education. The secret has died with him, and Hong Kong is the poorer for his loss.
| Contributed by: | Tommy Chan (77) 2004-12-06 23:55:08 |
| Description: | I remember most of us had received a precious & memorable gift from Bro Michael——–our La Salle school transcripts. |
| Contributed by: | Stanley Shum (84) 2004-12-06 23:54:26 |
| Description: | My twin brother, Henry Shum, and I were also summoned by Bro. Michael down to the Old Boys Room in 1980 when we were in Form 1. You know what, he told us that he wanted to take a few photos of us. And then, afterwards he told us that we would appear on the cover page of the Junior section. This happened for the following year as well. He didn’t give us anything, just a few developed photos, haha. As far as I can remember, he was really kind to us, seeing that my brother and I were really frightened at the time when we met him, (we didn’t know why we were brought down to the office) but he comforted us gently telling us not to be afraid. |
Biography
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
Biography
Bro Wilfred De Cruz was born 4 April 1917 in Burma. He arrived in Hong Kong on 20 January 1968. He taught in lower forms of La Salle College. he was appointed Sub-director of Community Brothers in March 1970. Brother Wilfred was transferred to Aulstralia in 1971 and he passed away in 1988.
| Contributed by: | GERALD Cruz 2014-02-06 11:44:07 |
| Description: | I will always remember Bro.Wilfred as he taught me in form 2A.I left Hong Kong in 1971 for Vancover,B.C. Canada and he came Canada to see us.I can still remember the dinner we had together my classmates Christopher Bee and Michael Young-Lai in Vancouver! And signed my high school year both with the reunion of us all! God Bless you Bro. Wilfred. |
| Contributed by: | Mark Huang (85) 2006-09-10 02:15:13 |
| Description: | Dear Tomas, good to hear from you. I wonder if you have any photos of your days in La Salle, especially those with Brother Wilfred? We are building a collection of photos of old La Salle, and we would love to add to the collection if you have any. Cheers Mark Heritage Sub Committee LSCOBA |
| Contributed by: | Tomas Vieira 2006-09-04 19:58:58 |
| Description: | I was in Brother Wilfred’s 1971 F2 class. Iimmigrated to Australia in 1979 and met Brother in his retirement at the Brother’s facility in Redcliffe, Queensland. He was thrilled to see me again to know that he was so fondly remembered and cherished for his patronage of us football boys. He took us camping to Lantau as well as Fanling. He had a great sense of humour and was a source of great encouragement to all |
| Contributed by: | David Hsu (1973) 2004-07-01 18:26:19 |
| Description: | Rev Bro Wilfred was F2A form master in 69-70 and a very devoted teacher indeed. He use to give us tests or dictations in the first session at 8:15am and he would have all 40 test papers marked and comments ready after recess at 10:30am. His principle is that as we are still fresh with the topics tested, to have the test marked and comments made within an hour is the best way to learn refreshingly and avoid the mistakes at the first instant. He also believes that reciting poems every week can definitely improve and generate a stronger memory. As such it did improve our memory to the extent that after reciting would commit to our memory instantly. He was also keen on the social life of his students. He sponsored the Wilfred Football Club for the Summer League and always took the team out for dinner which was a luxury then. |
Biography
Many past pupils, parents and friends will be sad to hear of the death of Brother Austin De Lemos who passed away peacefully on the 14 December 1995 at St. Tereas’s Hospital Kowloon.
Our grief is somewhat lightened by the fact that Brother Austin led a long, full and fruitful life in the Lord’s service. Born at the turn of the century in 1900 in Burma (Myanmar), he joined the De La Salle Brothers as an aspirant in 1916. His many years of dedicated service to education began at St. John’s Kuala Lumpur in 1942 and from then until 1954 he taught in the Brothers schools in Penang, Melaka, Taiping, Seremban and Singapore. He was transferred to Burma in 1954 and taught in Moulmein, Twante and Rangoon until the nationalisation of all Catholic schools in 1965. Brother Austin’s “retirement” years were spent first in Malaysia (1966-1977) and then in La Salle College, Kowloon (1977-1995). Retirement in hardly the appropriate word for Brother Austin, because up to very recently he continued to teach and tutor students. Brother Austin’s life was a fine illustration of the spirit of the Institute he joined, the spirit of faith and of zeal. In the spirit of faith, he always sought to do God’s will and to see everybody and everything with the eyes of faith. In the spirit of zeal for the instruction of children, he taught with efficiency and enthusiasm and regarded the teaching profession with pride. Brother Austin was the last of his family to die, his younger sister having passed away three years ago at the age of 87. We extend our sympathies to his nephews, nieces and other relatives, for whom Brother Austin had a heartfelt and prayerful attachment. To all who in one way or another helped Brother Austin on his life’s journey, thank you. May your generosity be rewarded. Brother Austin was laid to rest in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley, on 16 December.
Information obtained from http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/A-Lemos.htm
Biography
Brother Vulbas Deruaz was born on 3rd May 1885 in Savoy. He arrived in Hong Kong on 18th January 1939. He passed away in St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong in 1941.