Thursday, October 05, 2006

Rest in peace

The 101 years old headman of Pulau Ubin, Mr Lim Chye Joo, passed away at his home on Pulau Ubin today, 5 October 2006 at 11.11am. His wake is held at Blk 230 Pasir Ris St 21 until Wednesday, October 11.

Straits Times reported that:
"When [Mr Lim Chye Joo] was 80, he survived a bout of prostate cancer and came through relatively unscathed, having only to take the occasional painkiller. However, the disease struck him again three months ago. After a brief hospital stay, his condition worsened. A week ago, he was only able to eat oatmeal and drink milk. On Thursday afternoon, Mr Lim died after an hour-long coughing fit."
With his passing, it is almost like the end of an era for Ubin. For me, he was the pillar of the island, a reminder of the prime of the island. He was the headman even when my mom was a little girl. He represented in my eyes the pioneers that toiled on the island.

The news of his death shocked me, and many others, as I almost take it for granted that he will always be there, a permanent fixture of the island.

He will be missed by many.

Rest in peace Headman.

----
Related articles:
  • "Pulau Ubin Headman celebrates turning 100" The Straits Times, 3 Apr 2005
  • ""Mr Lim Chye Joo, Pulau Ubin's Village headman, R.I.P" Habitatnews, 5 Oct 2006
  • "Ubin Headman Passed Away." Focus Ubin Forum: Ubin Happenings. 05 Oct 2006.
  • Mr Lim Chye Joo, photo, 12 May 2006. Photo by s25251 on Flickr.
  • Village Headman. Ubin's Vanishing Kampung. RGS students project for Cyberfair 2001.
  • "The Headman Speaks", NParks Ubin Tides Volume 4, No. 2, July 2004
  • "Pulau Ubin headman, 101, dies", Straits Times, 7 Oct 2006
  • No comments: