PETALING JAYA, April 19 — It was a sombre yet touching farewell for Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel who was laid to rest at Subang Lutheran Garden yesterday afternoon.
Paul passed away on Saturday leaving behind wife Datin Seri Kristine Lim Guat Looi and son Andrew.
The large turnout at his residence for the wake from Sunday night to the service yesterday morning before his final journey to the cemetery spoke volumes of how he touched people’s lives with his work and kindness.
The final prayer service at his home ended with a short march behind a three-piece band playing Amazing Grace as the cortege moved to the final journey to the cemetery.
His former colleagues from FA of Malaysia, Asean Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation whom he served as secretary-general, his childhood friends from Kuala Ketil in Kedah, former national players, coaches and friends filled his home to pay their respects.
There were even foreign friends from Switzerland and Thailand as Urs Zanitti, the former Fifa Goal programme director, who flew in from Berne.
Among the local who’s who in the football circle who turned up included Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Dell Akbar, Datuk M. Chandran, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk K. Sabaratnam, Osman Bakar, V. Kalimutu, Zainal Abidin Hassan, S. Subramaniam, M.J. Vincent, S. Balanchandran and many others.
Sports journalists who worked with Paul and officials from other sports including Olympic Council of Malaysia assistant general-secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi were also present.
It was a fitting tribute for man who made a difference to football locally and internationally.
Dozens of wreaths, large and small, turned his house into a garden of flowers.
Goodbye Paul. May you rest in peace.
