As much as I try to avoid writing too frequently about the passing of friends, I find no good reason to remain silent about the loss of John Wan, who passed away on 27 March 2022. Some lives leave such a mark that their departure cannot go unacknowledged.
I first received the sad news through a Facebook post by his son, David Wan, on the morning of 27 March. John - whom I fondly and more often called by his given name, Hon Phin - had been a good friend and badminton buddy for as long as I can remember. Over the past few years, his health had been on a slow but visible decline. The passing of his beloved wife in February 2018 may have taken a further toll on his well-being, both physically and emotionally.
John was more than just a friend; he was a comrade-in-arms, someone I had shared countless games, meals, and conversations with over the decades. His sudden departure came at a particularly poignant time - just six weeks earlier, another close badminton buddy who had migrated to Canada had reached out to me, expressing a desire to organize a reunion and "yam cha" session with the old gang upon his return to KK later this year.
There was already a hint of sadness in our conversation when we acknowledged that Peter Lee, another dear member of our group, would no longer be able to join us (Read here). Now, with the passing of Hon Phin, another chair at the reunion table will remain empty.
In the early 1980s, we were actively involved in pioneering cross-cultural evangelistic outreach, particularly among the Rungus community in the interior of Sabah. I still vividly recall one such outreach trip to Pensiangan. After returning, I compiled a set of photographic slides and an accompanying audio recording to document the experience. At that time - long before the digital age when computers and laptops were still in their infancy - group presentations were done using slide projectors. Hon Phin took those slides and audio recordings and put them to good use. He used them not only to raise awareness but also as a tool for fundraising. Remarkably, he even brought them along during a trip to Vancouver, where he shared the presentation with former BCCM members who had migrated to Canada. As a result, several generous donations in Canadian dollars were received.
We also served together for many years on the boards of the three schools under BCCM KK: SM Lok Yuk, SRK Lok Yuk, and SJK(C) Lok Yuk Likas. When BCCM KK (Chinese) and BCCM KK (English) eventually became independent bodies with their own separate councils, the school boards were also restructured. I was appointed as the first Chairman of the School Board for SRK Lok Yuk, while Hon Phin took on the role of the first Chairman for SJK(C) Lok Yuk Likas. His tenure in this position extended for many years and was marked by tireless service and tangible achievements.
His commitment to improving the physical infrastructure of SJK(C) Lok Yuk Likas was especially noteworthy. Under his leadership, and often through his own initiative, two additional school blocks were constructed. One of these buildings included a spacious school hall located on the top floor. I had the privilege of serving as the Civil & Structural Consulting Engineer for both projects. Thanks to Hon Phin’s exceptional public relations skills and extensive network, he managed to raise substantial funds from church members, the wider community, and various levels of government. These projects were completed not just with efficiency, but with vision and care for the future generations.
Even in his passing, his commitment to the school lived on. His family, honoring his legacy, requested that no wreaths be sent. Instead, friends and members of the public were encouraged to donate to SJK(C) Lok Yuk Likas - a fitting tribute to a man whose passion for Chinese education, and for the well-being of the school in particular, was truly extraordinary.
Hon Phin’s contribution to elevating SJK(C) Lok Yuk Likas to the respected institution it is today is indisputable. His legacy lives on - not only in buildings and infrastructure, but in the lives of the students who walk those halls, many of whom will never know the depth of his sacrifice, but who nonetheless benefit from it every day.
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Wonderful time! From left: Liew Kee Yong (Seated), me, Lo Vun Kai, John Wan, Dr. Thu, Siaw Vui Kiew, Lim Chin Teck. |