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Appreciations

Nothing was too big or too small for this exceptional man
Tryphon Mirando
'Here was a man, When comes such another?
He was debonair, he was bubbly, he was hard working, he was loving, he was sociable, he was honest, he was caring, he was generous, he was forthright and he was religious - all these features consolidated to create the exceptional personality of Tryphon Mirando.

Even though we both graduated from the Royal School of Education of Books and Men, it was through his in-laws, Berty and Brenda Wallace who were my dear friends, that I came to be acquainted with Tryphon in the early '80s. In fact, it was often a whimsical repartee of Tryphon to refer to me as being of an older generation due to my friendship and association with Beverly's parents. That apart, we did combine and co-operate very closely during the past two decades in the name and cause of our alma mater and became very close friends.

Tryphon was everything that one desired in a friend. We confided in each other, we sought the advise of each other, we worked together, we engaged in vigorous discussions and we enjoyed life together. Tryphon always looked at life objectively and with a mature perspective. If he was an able leader, (nay he was born to lead) if he was a good administrator, he also did impress one and all with his willingness to do the difficult chores. He never shunned carrying the bags or lifting the crates. Simultaneously, he was firm and determined and never feared to name a spade.

Despite managing a multiplicity of duties, professional and social, the attention and care he showered upon Beverly's Mum during her long illness was exemplary. Indeed few sons-in-law, if any, could be expected to follow suit. With Beverly away in England on professional assignments and with Tashiya and Darisha also securing their educational stints in England, Tryphon opted to be the total care-giver and care-taker of his mother-in-law and we did appreciate, though with amazement, his commitment and sincerity towards this cause.

Tryphon was an individual much in demand - for his professional acumen, for his balanced judgements, for his sociable values and for his loving nature. However, he always found time for everyone and was never too busy for anyone. He was a genuine listener who consequently was able to sift and sieve the chaff and arrive at quick and effective solutions.

He remained simple and approachable and held a countenance of 'hail fellow, well met' to all his associates at all times of the day and night. It would be superfluous on my part to dwell upon the multifaceted professional skills of Tryphon Mirando excepting to highlight with certain knowledge that whatever he did he did his best and the end results were always stupendous - Janashakthi, Royal College Union, Royal-Thomian Match Committee, Bradly Shield Rugby Committee, SLTA, Tamil Union and society at large - they all benefited from the highly pedigreed skills and talents of Tryphon.

We shared many things my friend and we had lots of mutual respect and we thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company but to-day, alas, I am left only with sweet memories of your wonderful life and times but I certainly shall cherish those memories and moments. May the Sweet Angels afford you tranquility and serenity in your new abode. Good-bye dear Tryphon, I shall continue to miss you!

Nimal Dias
Jayasingha

An Atha, inspiration and everybody’s chum
GAMINI ATTYGALLE
“If every child has a grandpa as wise, kind, forgiving, interesting and encouraging as you, there would be no more trouble in this chaotic world….”The opening words of a little booklet I gave you a few years ago on your birthday bring a flood of memories to me. You were all that and much more my darling atha- an epitome of love and gentleness.

I, your ‘first born’s first born’, as you fondly referred to me was perhaps your luckiest grandchild. You saw me grow up, you saw me in love, you took great pride in my ‘black cloak’ and above all, you saw me as a bride. Your words to Sumedha on our wedding day, still bring a smile to me. You clasped his hand and mine and said with that unmistakable twinkle in your eye, “ Sumedha today you lose your Bachelor’s and she gains her Masters, but it’s alright to surrender to an intelligent woman”!

Atha, had you lived a few months more, I would have placed your first great grandchild in your arms. I remember how you rejoiced when I broke the news to you on the phone. Your words “I don’t have to remind you that now you will have to take extra care of yourself”, still echo in my mind.

You were a loving father and a grandfather to those who lost theirs untimely. Sumedha adored you- the one and only grandpa he ever had. Atha, we enjoyed you to our heart’s content.

A voracious reader and scholar of English, Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer and words of Churchill were at your fingertips. Hailing from a family of poetry and music lovers, you passed the passion to amma and I. A week before your demise, you sat with your youngest granddaughter and coached her ‘baby poem’ for her Speech and Drama exam. Our hearts ache to see her still clutching the handwritten manuscript of yours, her last memory of you.

Your evergreen ‘old boy’ spirit was something which everyone marvelled at. You never failed to make a trip from Ratnapura to Colombo to attend your school’s meetings- a loyalty you upheld for over half a century. “No trip is complete without Gamini”, we often heard from your dearest colleagues. You could turn monotony to laughter and age was no barrier for you. You had an assortment of acquaintances- some young enough to be your sons!

There was nothing quite like you on the spree on Avurudu day. Atha, you never believed in age but in the spirit of life. Great swimmer that you were, you would swim abreast with youngsters of the family in Katugas ella or Panawala ganga where we all had our customary new year dip. You were more than a grandpa, rather a chum to all your grandchildren. Your sons-in-law and grandsons treated you as a peer who never hesitated to join eagerly in ‘boisterous matters’! Avurudu will never be a festive occasion again without you atha, your jovial banter and your home-made wine.

You were a lucky husband to have enjoyed a devoted and loving wife like athamma- the only grandparent whom we have today. The golden wedding anniversary you celebrated, surrounded by all those who loved you, was a clear example of a solid marriage you two held based on unconditional love and trust. I still remember with pleasure how you recalled one of the greatest romances of the family that day much to the embarrassment of athamma! The surprise birthday party we gave you recently, the ‘romantic poses’ we granddaughters got you and athamma to give the camera, are still fresh in my memory.

You lived a full life atha. A gentleman to the last letter, you despised none and envied no one but helped any one in need without ever accepting anything in return. The blessings of these sterling qualities of yours were invoked upon you till the last minute of your life. You closed your eyes peacefully with the Sunday paper in your hand, without even a gasp- an ending you truly deserved.

A descendant of the illustrious Attygalle saga of Ratnapura, you taught us to take pride in the family, you narrated tales of many strong men and women of the family who left a mark in society. You taught us to hold our heads high but always be humble enough to reach those in need just the way our forefathers did. Atha, I treasure the memories of you, my times with you. I have clasped your hand, listened to your stories and laughed at your jokes. Your life taught me that there is still place for love, gentleness and integrity in this messy world.

Your life was a simple and a beautiful melody, which can be capsulated in Sinatra’s memorable lines : “I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way……”

Randima Attygalle
Granddaughter

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