Don Panteleon Algama passed away on November 9 at the age of 72. He was a respected business entrepreneur and well-known citizen of Wattala.I knew Pante, as we affectionately called him, for more than 60 years, first as a schoolmate and then as a good and trusted friend.
At St. Anthony’s College, Wattala, Pante was an all-round sportsman, representing the school at cricket and soccer. In his last year at school he captained the cricket team. He was a prolific run-getter and hard-hitting batsman. His love for cricket continued with his association with the Anthonian Sports Club, Wattala. He was president of the club for many years, and was instrumental in making it a leading cricket club. He achieved most of his goals, but various factors prevented him from achieving his dream. He spent much of his time and money on the club and in helping budding cricketers.
We picture him joining the heavenly cricket team and playing with such legends as Stanley Algama, George Fernando, Denis de Silva, Dalton de Silva, Noel Jansz, Shanthi Samarasekera and Julian Fernando.
Pante was a devout Roman Catholic, generous and helpful to the poor and needy. His was a life of simplicity and humanity, qualities he learned to practise under the tutelage of the De La Salle Brothers. He was a parishioner of St. Anne’s Church, Wattala, and All Saints’ Church, Borella. Many Catholic clergy, including the Archbishop of Colombo, attended his funeral.
He will be missed by his many friends. We will remember his hospitality after a club meeting; and our countless intimate chats. Our happy times together, the joys and the successes we shared, and even the difficult times that brought us even closer together, are what is left. These precious moments no one can steal from us.
My deepest sympathies go to his wife Malini, his sons Janaka, Priyantha and Samantha, his in-laws, and his grandchildren. Be comforted in the thought that Pante was a gentleman par excellence – kind, honest and caring, a type hard to come by these days.
I came across these inspiring words on a card titled, “Comfort for those who mourn”:
“Death is for the good – a translation into light, into power, into love. Those who on earth were ordinary Christians become perfect, those who were beautiful become good, and those who were good become sublime.”
May Angels descend upon Pante, singing joyful hymns and escorting him to heaven to meet Christ our Saviour.
Thanks for the happy memories, Pante.
Victor Rodrigo |
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