2 Mar 2009 – A Tribute to Shakib Gunn

Yesterday, an elegant memorial service to honour Shakib Gunn at the Swissotel was coordinated by Hagley & Hoyle. Over 100 people were there to pay their respects. SG and I shared a common interest with genealogy. Recall him telling me about how his mother, Irene was supposed to be on Titanic’s maiden voyage. But at the last moment, her mother forbade Irene to make the trip.

SG was the editor for The Gunn Tribune, Issue No 1, 2003 – A family newspaper published once every fifty years! This is so typical SG humour. Thus, the next issue should be published in 2053; hopefully his grandsons will continue with the tradition. Must learn from him the way to do a family newspaper, especially the part about every fifty years 🙂

My appreciation to the management & staff of H&H for the privilege to be the mistress of ceremony to honour SG. The poem below was sent by SG to various members of the Singapore Vegetarian Society in the past year. His way of saying farewell??

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry – Elizabeth Frye