The Funeral of Corporal Gan Teong Wee (1985-2003)

I am remembering Gan Teong Wee.

This originally appeared in MyBBKul - the Boys' Brigade in Malaysia's official webzine. It is still available online in the MyBBKul archive here.

THE FUNERAL OF CORPORAL GAN TEONG WEE

One last one with their best friend

Leaving his home on earth

The procession into the church for service

Kuala Lumpur, 25th January 2003 - It was not a normal Saturday where you see cheerful boys running around. It was a sunny but sad Saturday. It was the day when we 1st Kuala Lumpur Company gave our last respect to Corporal Gan Teong Wee who had turned 18 just a few days ago. He was a great leader who had been called home to the Lord suddenly, in the late morning of 23rd January 2003.

School friends and relatives at the church

CPT Ken Wong presenting Teong Wee's awards to his father

One final look

The funeral service started at 1030hrs and the whole church was filled with family members and friends numbering more than 300 people. It was a day which we all honored Corporal Gan. Despite the service being held in the church, friends and teachers of Corporal Gan of different races also came to pay their last respect to him.

It was a day to be remembered by all of us who attended the service. Some fellow officers and his close 'buddies' who knew him well, shared their wonderful moments together with him. Tears of both joy and sadness flow that day, touching the hearts of all who attended the service. There were also other BB members from other companies joining us in the service.

BB Boys & Red Crescent members lining the aisle

BB Boys lining the road outside the church

BB Boys helping to place the coffin at the crematorium

All the people who were present there gave their last respect to Corporal Gan before he was placed in the burial car. It was a great surprise to all the members of the Boys' Brigade as his family members decided to dress him up for the last time in full BB uniform.

It was a great honor to us all that his family knew that Corporal Gan was so committed to the BB fellowship.

At 1230hrs we accompanied his body to the crematorium in Cheras. The last post was blown by one of his closest friend and vesper was sung by all the BB members before his body was lowered down for cremation. It ended approximately 1500hrs. His ashes was thrown into the sea near Klang on the following day.

BB Boys at the crematorium

Yong Jenn Hoel (left), one of Teong Wee's best friends blowing the last post

Friends throwing flowers as Teong Wee's are cast into the sea

By: WO Tham Chwen Fong of 1st Kuala Lumpur