President's Column
By President Joyce Mak
Remembering Raymond
I remember I mentioned in my last issue of the Kingspark news that I think December should be a month of celebration and we should share our love and happiness with our families and friends and most important to be thankful to them. I looked back the date of our last Kingspark News being posted, it was actually a day of sadness and I wonder whether 'he' had the chance to read the last issue of our publication.
Our beloved honorary member, PDG Dr. Raymond Wong passed away on 4 December, 2008. I was shocked to hear about the news, and many other Rotarians were with me. It's unfortunate that I did not get a chance to speak to him in a long enough conversation since I first joined Kingspark 5 years ago. It is definitely very memorable to me as I recall the time he was at our luncheon when I was being first inducted as a member in 2003 by PP Anwer. Vivien and Raymond actually attended our club's installation in July 2008 when I was being inducted President. His words of encouragement was indeed very inspiring and he made a comment on my speech when I quoted a song sung by John Lennon - "Imagine" as I wanted to illustrate my feelings about 'dreaming' referring to this year's Rotary theme 'Make Dreams Real'. I quoted part of the lyrics from the song:
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"
The lyrics in this song sound idealistic, but there is an important message in the song - which is to encourage people to use their imagination and that it is not wrong to dream about an idealistic world in which people live in harmony and peace. Dr. Raymond Wong came to me during dinner and shared with me that he actually had once used a similar analogy as a theme to encourage members to support the Foundation. At that moment, I was of course delighted and felt proud as somebody like him could share the same thought as I do. He stressed that if one dreams, one must "dream BIG". He was the person who explained to me the meaning of 'Kingsparicans' as I once spelled it wrong. He believed it was important for a new member like myself to fully understand the spirit behind it before I could actually walk in it - Kingspark I CAN! From then on, I dare not spell it wrong and I would make sure that I uphold this spirit and be proud to be a Kingsparican!
On behalf of Kingspark, we would like to express our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Vivien and the family. His kindness and long dedication to Rotary will remain in our hearts always. He is a great leader and will surely be remembered by all of us. For the many Rotarians who have known him for many years, it would be difficult to use a few words to fully describe their feelings of pain and sadness in losing such a good mentor, a friend and a true Rotarian.
PDG Raymond was a brilliant and wonderful man with a gift for interpreting Rotary and teaching us to put Rotary in our lives. God works in many mysterious ways to PDG Raymond and by grace; he was also given the passion and a big heart to serve the community. He had given us all kinds of encouragement in Rotary and had enlightened many people's life. May God bless him and keep him and now Raymond live in peace. May I ask all of you to pay our last tribute to our utmost respected leader on 19th and 20th.
Hereunder are two messages from two past presidents.
From Edward Lau
I still remember the day when I became a member of Rotary Club of Kowloon East. Raymond Wong, then District Governor Elect, came over to offer a hand of congratulation. His big smile, warm words of encouragement made me felt very much at home. Over the next twenty plus years, I have learned much about Rotary from Raymond, with him and through observing him in action. His total dedication and passion towards Rotary is legendary and he truly lives the Rotary motto of SERVICE ABOVE SELF. Because of him, I was proud and I am still proud to be a Rotarian.
One of his passions was the eradication of polio. PDG Raymond inspired me to lead a delegation of Rotarians to participate in a NID in India several years ago and it was a most rewarding and unforgettable experience. As a dedication to Raymond, I will continue to contribute, through contributions to the Rotary Foundation and if possible by attending NIDs, towards the goal set by Rotary International to completely eradicate polio from this world.
God bless Raymond and may his soul rest in peace.
From Raymond Sin
It is very sad to learn about the message on the death of PDG Raymond.
Raymond Wong was the longest and dearest friend and mentor I have ever known in Rotary. I can remember our endearing friendship and the good times I had with him in detail. We became good friends when I first joined Rotaract (of Kowloon East) back in 1990. He introduced me to Rotary (Kingspark) in 1994. He introduced me to become a full member of Jockey Club. He introduced many of his patients to me. He gave my 1st born child (Michelle) her 1st Red Packet in 1997 Chinese New Year when we (Eliza, me and 6-month-old Michelle) met him and Vivien accidentally in a flight from Australia to HK. He always spoke kind words about me among Rotarians, personal friends and patients. There was a time (for about 1 month back many years ago) we met and had breakfast every morning in a small restaurant right opposite his clinic. These all happened long ago, but I remember them just like yesterday.
Dr Raymond Wong was a great medical surgeon, a true Rotarian, a loyal Wahyanite, a great horse race lover, a good friend to all of us AND above all the dearest husband of Vivien.
I wish all of you will send your deepest condolence to Vivien, and pray sincerely. May God always be with Raymond and his family. |
