Appreciations
View(s):An oak tree of the East falls to the ground
FR HARRY MILLER
The entire Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, especially the District of Batticaloa, and in particular, the past students of St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, mourn the passing away of a great icon, Father Miller, at the age of 93 on January 1, 2019.
With his demise the era of highly educated Jesuit Fathers who renounced the comforts of life in America to labour in faraway East Sri Lanka has come to an end almost – I am told there is one more of this precious band still living in retirement, namely Father Lorio. Practically all these Jesuit priests were highly dedicated and motivated young men who volunteered to go out from the Jesuit Order in the State of New Orleans in the US to serve God and the people of our country when in their late 20s or early 30s.
Also, of Father Miller’s calibre of selfless, arduous service to fellow mankind were the late Fathers Harold Webber, Herbert, Cook and a few others. Their tremendous and inestimable contribution, in general,to the progress of the Eastern Province and in particular for the growth of St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa to enable it to become one of the foremost and distinguished schools in Sri Lanka cannot be ever forgotten.
Father Miller was not only an educationist but also a passionate and ardent social worker,counsellor and friend to the rich and the poor.
He was Principal of St. Michael’s College at one time and later Rector of the College. When the College was taken over by the Government my late brother, Kingsley Somanader was appointed the Principal of the College and I had the pleasure of serving as the Prefect Of Discipline there. I am ever so thankful that in that period of change and uncertainty we had the great privilege of sharing Father Miller’s wisdom, foresight and values to enable us to continue the good work and heritage of the Jesuit priests and to maintain the high standards of the College which they had built up over the years.
As author Kenneth Hilderbrande has said,“The poorest of all men is not the one without a penny to his name; but he is the fellow without dreams.” This I believe exactly describes Father Miller and all otherJesuit priests too who served at St. Michael’s College Batticaloa and the Eastern Province in general and the essence of their direction and advice to the students to achieve their dreams and make them shine in every aspect of life wherever they settled down- at home or abroad.
On his retirement Father Miller was given the option to go back to America and resettle in his country of birth. He took the opportunity to try it out but he felt so homesick, according to him, he decided to come back to Batticaloa in a couple of months, saying, “I could not part with my much loved adopted homeland and its people”. Nothing would satisy him except to live and die here.
All the Jesuit missionaries though they could have had successful worldly lives came to fulfil the call of God. As the Scriptures say, “Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it shall not bear fruit.”
Father Miller was given a fitting farewell by the people of Batticaloa and the Eastern Province and his body was committed to the very ground he had so faithfully served.
Ashley Somanader
Thank you for the lifelong friendship and beautiful memories
Dr. Roshantha Chandraratna
Rosh Chandraratna, friend, scholar, chemistry genius, and above all, a wonderful and generous personality is sadly no more. He passed away in his sleep having suffered from a debilitating illness lasting several years.
I have known Rosh from our University days when our paths crossed in the Chemistry special degree course at the University of Colombo. Since our class had only 12 students, closeness among batchmates was inevitable and Rosh became my best pal in the batch. Although he had the capacity to shine in the academic sphere, he chose not to and he spent little time in the classroom and lab, and it became my lot to provide him with notes of the many classes he missed. He, along with Asoka, (who became my husband in later years) would rather spend their time in the canteen playing bridge, chess, and following less intellectual activities. How he passed his final examinations is beyond my comprehension and says much for his innate brilliance.
Rosh met Iolee, his soulmate and partner for life, through my close association with Iolee’s family. They first met at my residence when she was just around 14 years when a few of our university mates were gathered together. Even now she takes great delight in pointing out that while we, the older ones in the group, banished her from our midst on the grounds of her age, Rosh was the one who took pity on her and supplied her with chocolates to appease her wounded spirits. Since Iolee’s residence was close to the University, the association with her, her sister and Rosh’s group of friends, continued , through seemingly innocuous visits. The die was cast a few years later, when Rosh and Iolee married in 1975, after a whirlwind courtship. From the onset of their life together, Rosh couldn’t do enough to keep his young wife happy.
Rosh pursued his academic career in the US after marriage, and he obtained his PhD after years of grind during which time Iolee supported him in every way, in spite of having just left school and being a novice in the culinary arts. Making up for lost time Rosh came into his own in terms of his amazing prowess in synthetic organic chemistry. This was soon recognized and in time he was much sought after by many chemical laboratories. He ventured into the pharmaceutical industry where he excelled in the formulation and development of several drugs. The fact that he received over 250 patents for his work, says it all.
Although diminutive in stature, Rosh had a larger than life personality, with strong views on almost anything. Being argumentative and very articulate, he had no qualms about expressing these views irrespective of his audience. Many were the lively spats Asoka and he used to indulge in, spurred on by their friends who found these sessions most entertaining. On a personal note, Rosh was my special friend, mentor and also my adversary when he took great pleasure in picking on me for the wrong use of words and incorrect grammar. (that is, wrong according to him). I in turn was ever vigilant when he spoke to beat him at his game. Needless to say, these instances were rare.I can picture him reading this, with a sardonic expression on his face, pointing out my many purported mistakes. Our little spats left our group of friends in fits of laughter – often at my expense.
Rosh’s love for his land of birth never faded. He would regularly visit Sri Lanka with his family and catch up with family and close friends. These visits cemented the children’s love for this country and they are still so proud and happy to consider themselves Sri Lankans. I am so thankful and happy that my children and theirs have forged an indelible link of friendship. In their words, “we are family”.
Rosh maintained an exemplary and beautiful family life with Iolee and their lovely children Priyan and Sahani. They were the whole world to him, being totally committed to their comfort and well being. Rosh never did things in small measures. He was extravagant in all his actions, and his generosity knew no bounds not only towards his family but also to those in need. Figuratively, if someone needed a room , he would supply them with a house .
His inability for small talk and tactlessness was an issue that would sometimes drive Iolee round the bend. If someone greeted him claiming a past association, he would look blank. Naturally this did not go down well. He also had the tendency to drop not just bricks but houses, causing much embarrassment to family and friends too.
My fervent hope is that Iolee and the children will be able to face the loss of their beloved husband/father with fortitude, remembering all the good times they have had as a family. During the last months of his life, it was heartwarming to see how they nursed him with so much love and compassion. Iolee, Priyan and Sahani, you will be blessed for your devotion to Rosh and I am sure he is now in a place where there is no suffering but only peace and love. Though he’s with us no more, I will always be grateful to Rosh for the lifelong friendship and beautiful family he brought into my life.
Dilmani
Patients, golf, family and friends were his passions in life
Dr Elmo T. Samuel
Elmo, known to his many friends as “Chum”, was born on January 8, 1940 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He grew up in Colombo and attended St. Benedict’s College. He graduated from the Ceylon Medical School as a physician in 1966 and immigrated to the United States in 1972 to continue his specialization in orthopaedics. After completing his residency in Coney Island, NY in 1976, he and Vajantha moved to Toms River, NJ when he joined Ocean Orthopaedics.
Elmo loved being an orthopaedic surgeon and cared deeply for his patients and their well-being. Until his recent illness, he had never taken a sick day. Outside of his work, Elmo had two passions – golf and nurturing deep relationships with family and friends. Elmo and Vajantha’s house was the first home for many friends and family members when they first moved to the United States. A glass of red wine and a wonderful meal was always available.
It gave Elmo great joy to watch the birds and boats on the Toms River from his home. He would happily greet his fellow golfers at the 7th green to offer them cold beers and cigars.
Elmo passed away on Tuesday, January 30, last year at his home.
Elmo is survived by his beloved wife of almost 44 years, Vajantha, their two daughters Jennifer and Michelle, and his son-in-law, Nathan Mertins. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Betty, Joe, Renee, Eric, Dawn, Olga, Frank and Nita and by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Solomon and Mercy, and his brother, Oscar.
Renee Joganathan
You are missed more than ever
Bryan Paul Senanayake
Year after year I pen thoughts of you
Yet, daily you are on my mind, in my heart
I miss your smile
Your caring and generous heart
Your presence
Your warm embrace.
So many times, I wish I could hear your voice
Wish I could just sit with you and hear about the ‘good old days’
Your travels, the dancing, the rugby…
You taught me so much….
I wish you could have taught your grandkids all you taught me
I try my best to share your memories with them but sometimes it hurts.
I miss you more than words can say
I hold onto memories, some fresh and some distant….
But always present.
I know you’re happy with Jesus and Mother Mary
Your faith was always so strong, even in the most trying times
The devotion to faith you taught me, I’ll always be grateful.
On this your 12th death anniversary
I want you to know that you are remembered
With love, with care and fond memories
And you are missed more than ever.
With all my love, Your daughter
Shima
An innings of love, care, fidelity, sincerity and much more
MERINA GODAMUNE
One month has gone since Merina (Sirima) Godamune passed away, leaving us in sorrow. She peacefully clasped the blessed hands of almighty God, at the age of 84 years on Wednesday, December 26. She was the precious life partner of Neil Godamune of Kadawatha Road, Dehiwala.
Sudu Amma as I affectionately called her was my mother’s sister, a much-loved aunt who guided me through my daily needs like a second mother. Sudu Amma was always a humble person, modest and elegant. Her graceful and pleasing ways were the symbols of her interaction in society with relations, clergy and friends.
Her main quality was her concern, friendship and assistance to others, like the daily call to family members not forgetting their birthdays and anniversaries. Sudu Amma also took intense pleasure in giving gifts and souvenirs at appropriate times. Unforgettable are the splendid Christmas get-togethers, where she called out our names to hug us and give gifts..
Sudu Amma’s departure ended an innings of accomplishments in love and fidelity, in care and concern, in goodwill and sincerity, in charity and in praise and trust in God. Thank you Sudu Amma for the memories you have left and for the good times we have shared.
May you be at peace.
Shanthi