By Tony Mariadass
It was a sombre yet touching farewell for fitting for Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel who was laid to rest at the Subang
Lutheran Garden yesterday afternoon.
Paul passed away on Saturday night leaving behind his wife Datin Seri Kristine Lim Guat Looi and son Andrew.
He had fought an excellent fight and
finished his race.
The large turnout at his residence for the
wake from Sunday night to the service at yesterday morning before the convoy of cars followed
the cortege to the cemetery spoke volumes of how he touched people's lives with his work and kindness.
The final prayer service at his home ended with short march behind a three piece band playing Amazing Grace as the cortege moved to the final journey to the cemetery.
His former colleagues at the FA of
Malaysia, Asean Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation whom he
had served as general secretary, his childhood friends from where he grew up in
Kuala Ketil, former national players, coaches and friends filled his home to
pay their last respects.
There were even foreign friends from
Switzerland and Thailand as Urs Zanitti, the former Fifa Goal programme
director who flew in from Switzerland
Among the local who’s who in the
football circle who flew in from Berne.
turned up included Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Dell Akbar,
Datuk M. Chandran, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk K. Sabaratnam, Osman Bakar, V.
Kalimutu, Zainal Abidin Hassan, S. Subramaniam, M.J. Vincent, S. Balanchandran
and many others.
Sports journalists who had worked
with Paul and other officials from other sports including Olympic Council of
Malaysia assistant general secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi was present
It was indeed a fitting tribute for
man who made a difference to football both locally and internationally.
Dozens of wreaths, large and small, turned his house into a garden of flowers.
Goodbye Paul. May you rest in
peace.
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