A Sudden Farewell: Remembering Gerald Goh

When a connect group member asked me whether the news of the passing of Gerald Goh was credible on 28.09.2025, I immediately contacted Kelvin, Gerald’s son, to verify the news. Kelvin confirmed via WhatsApp that it was indeed true. He explained that he was then in Singapore, where his father had suddenly passed away on Thursday, 25.09.2025. The family planned to bring his cremated remains back to Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday, 30.09.2025.

At the Memorial Service held at 1.00 pm on 30.09.2025 at Tionghua Eternal Resting Abode, we finally heard the full account of his passing. Just about a week before his death, the family had gathered joyfully in KK to celebrate Kelvin’s wedding. With everyone present, they decided to spend a holiday together in Singapore.

On the morning of 25.09.2025, shortly after breakfast at a hotel near the well-known Orchard Road, Singapore, Gerald and his family set out to explore the nearby area. While walking along the pedestrian walkway, Monica, his wife, suddenly felt Gerald’s hand resting on her shoulder. The next moment, when she turned to look at him, he collapsed and fell unconscious. An ambulance was immediately called, and paramedics worked tirelessly to resuscitate him. Tragically, despite their repeated efforts, Gerald never regained consciousness. A doctor later confirmed that he had passed away from cardiac arrest.

Gerald and Monica were once active members of our Connect Group. Whenever CG meetings were held at their home in Taman Orkid, we could always look forward to a delightful spread of refreshments - or more accurately, a full meal. Monica would prepare an array of home-cooked dishes, turning every gathering into both a time of fellowship and a feast.

Gerald is 5th from right and I am at his right.

I also remember Gerald as one of the Golden Joy participants who joined the trial cycling activity on 09.04.2017, shortly after a talk on “Cycling” during the GY meeting on 06.04.2017. Out of the whole group who tried it, only my wife and I continued with the hobby, and we still cycle to this day. (Read here).

With Desiree and Angie.

Gerald is partially hidden at left.

During the Chinese New Year of 2020, Angie and Desiree returned from overseas to join their family reunion. On 02.02.2020, I had the joy of meeting them, together with their parents, when the entire family attended the Sunday worship service at BCCM KK (English). Not long after that, on 18.03.2020, Malaysia went into a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the church sanctuary taken on 17.12.2020.

Gerald is back row 3rd from right.

Monica is at front row 5th from left.

A group photo of our CG taken on 17.12.2020. That evening just before Christmas, a casual walkabout was organized at the BCCM KK church. Both Gerald and Monica joined the event.

After year 2020, they no longer attended the CG meetings regularly. One day, I happened to meet them by chance, and they explained that they were now worshipping at BCCM Tanjung Aru, as it was nearer to their home. I believe another reason for the change was the service time - BCCM Tanjung Aru holds its worship service at 10.30am, which is certainly more convenient than the much earlier 7.30am service at BCCM KK (E).

****************************************************

The Memorial Service at Tionghua Eternal Resting Abode was conducted by Rev. Johnny Wong. In a meaningful and personal connection, Rev. Wong is the in-law of Gerald and Monica, as their son Kelvin had married his daughter just a week before Gerald’s passing. This made the service all the more poignant, as the family moved from the joy of a wedding celebration to the sorrow of a sudden farewell within such a short span of time.

The Memorial Service in progress.

At the close of the Memorial Service, Angie, the eldest daughter, stepped forward to express a heartfelt word of thanks on behalf of the family. Her words of gratitude conveyed the family’s deep appreciation for the love, prayers, and support shown to them during this time of grief.

Once the remains of Gerald was place at the columbarium of Tionghua Eternal Resting Abode, guests were invited for lunch at Cherry Club & Restaurant.

From left: Kelvin's wife, Kelvin, Angie,

Desiree, Monica, Mee and Floris.

Group photo after the lunch at the Cherry Club & Restaurant organized by the family immediately after the Memorial Service.

Gerald had always presented the picture of good health. According to his family, he made it a daily habit to check his blood pressure each morning to ensure he was in good condition. Yet, despite such consistent care and precaution, he still succumbed to sudden death. In the end, death is a reality that can befall anyone, no matter how vigilant or cautious one may be.

On reflection, such a sudden passing is never easy for the surviving family members to bear. There was no chance for a proper farewell, no last words exchanged, and no time to prepare for the loss. In a sense, the abruptness of it all leaves little room for closure, making the grief even harder to process.

For Monica, the loss is especially profound. She now faces the difficult journey of adjusting to life without the daily companionship, care, and support of her husband. The silence left in Gerald’s absence is one that no one else can truly fill.

Yet, some may say that Gerald’s sudden departure was, in a way, a blessing for him. He was spared the long and painful struggles of illness that can render one immobile and dependent, and he was not burdened with the thought of being a prolonged weight on his loved ones. While this offers a measure of comfort, it does not lessen the deep sense of loss felt by those he has left behind.

For the children, life too must continue in different parts of the world. Angie, the eldest daughter, will soon return to the UK, where she has been living with her husband for the past twenty years. Desiree, the second daughter, will go back to Brisbane, where she resides with her husband, Chan Yi Hau, and their five-year-old daughter. Desiree, in fact, once played a special role in our own journey - she was our “guide” in Auckland during our driving tour of New Zealand back in February-March 2016 (Read here).