One of Lamma's oldest residents, Tony Marsh, who retired as a lecturer in the Education Faculty of the University of Hong Kong, died in his sleep suddenly on Thursday, 12 July. There is a notice to that effect in Spicy Island.

The funeral is set for 29 July at Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom.

For details, contact his son Graham (phone number available from me).

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Submitted by his son, Graham:

First I would like to thank everyone who has called, or sent emails and cards expressing their condolences and support. If I have not yet replied to you, I will try to do so in due course.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Location:

Rm 402, Universal Funeral Parlour (in Cantonese: "Sai Gai"), 10 Cheong Hang Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon Tel. 23624331. Website: http://www.universalfuneral.com.hk

How to get there:

The building is North of the KCR station in Hung Hom near PolyU. See the attached ufp map below - on foot, follow the green line. When looking towards the building from KCR station or cross-harbour tunnel bus area, there is a huge Nikon sign, just head in that direction. As you enter the main entrance of the funeral parlour, turn left and take the lifts to 4/F.

Date/Time:
Sunday 29th July, from 4:30pm onwards. We intend to do a eulogy at around 5pm so please try to arrive before then.

Light refreshements will be provided.

Tony's grandchildren Anton (11) and Nathan (7) will be there; if you wish to bring children you are welcome to do so.

We expect to stay until around 6:30pm at the latest.

Important: Please would you let us know if you are coming (and how many).
Also, some close friends and colleagues may wish to say a few words, please also let us know if you would like to do so, thanks.

I believe an announcement of Tony's passing is already posted in the Spicy Island Indian restaurant.

After the funeral:

The cremation will be held at Cape Collinson Crematorium on Monday 30th July at 2:45pm. See the attached ccc map below - it should be a short ride from Chai Wan MTR station (upper right) to the crematorium (lower left). You are welcome to attend.

The following weekend:

We intend to have a gathering/wake/party(!) on Sunday 5th August at Tony's family's house in Pak Kok Village, Lamma Island - more information on that later.

Graham Marsh
Tel: 94501504 (mobile); 2982 2899 (home); 9836 8584 (Julie)

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Thank you for this short but sweet tribute, taipengsan!

Anybody got a picture?

Most of us have seen him around the village, for example having his Caffe Latte most mornings in the Green Cottage. But a photo would help to jog our memories.

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I'd like to thank Lamma-Gung for posting the above information, and the kind messages. If Lamma-Gung could link to this thread from the main page I would be most grateful. And thanks also to my mum Cherry for helping with the obituary below:

My father was born in Burnley, Lancashire, UK, in 1936, the son of a chemical engineer and a tailoress. His schooldays were not particularly happy ones and although he obtained a place in a reputable Grammar School, he spectacularly underachieved, leaving with only two O-level passes. I mention this because, ironically, he was later to enter the field of education, spending a great deal of time in schools and higher learning establishments.

National Service still being compulsory, he served in the Royal Air Force as a Radar Operator. It was during this time that he decided to study in earnest and managed to pass three A-level exams in one year rather than the normal two.

As a young boy, he had attended elocution lessons, leading to an enduring love of literature, especially poetry. That, together with a natural acting ability, led to an application for a place at RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although he passed the audition, he did not take up the place as he felt uncomfortable in the theatrical world.

So it was that he instead took an honours degree course in Botany at Leicester University, followed by a Post Graduate Cert. in Education course. His teaching career spanned some 30 years, the longest period of which was as a lecturer in Biology Education at the University of Hong Kong. This post brought him into contact with local teachers and the HK Examination Authority as well as providing opportunities for consultancy assignments in mainland China. In addition he was the author of several books and papers.

Outside his work commitments, he contributed to the work of the HK Family Planning Association (FPA), the HK Youth Hostels Association (YHA), and the HK Red Cross, among others. With regard to the YHA, he was instrumental in securing the first youth hostel at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. For the Red Cross, he organised blood donation sessions at the family's apartment in Pokfulam, where he lived in University quarters since arriving in HK in 1972 until moving to Lamma Island in 1977.

Tony and his family lived in Po Wah Yuen from 1977 until his return to UK in 1986. In the early years, there was no mains water supply. Water was pumped to the houses from local supplies and was prone to running out in dry weather. He kept a large number of water barrels at the back of the house to cover for these occasions, and he was known to rig up various contraptions in an attempt to catch rainwater! The last ferry from Central was 10:30pm and it took 45 minutes. HYF, noodle soup, beer was available, no air-con.

After returning to the UK in 1986, Tony could not resist an assignment or two back in Hong Kong until finally retirement beckoned and he returned to the UK to focus on a lengthy restoration project of a listed property. Recently, he completed the text of a booklet about the history of this building which he has submitted for publication.

He was an avid collector of many things, especially early scientific texts and instruments. Many of these items were obtained in the Hollywood Road area of HK. He had an eye for items which were being sold cheaply but, with some loving care and repair work, turned out beautifully and were actually quite valuable. He was very skilled in the area of home decoration and repairs, taking a perfectionist approach to most jobs. This meant that tasks took a long time to finish but looked great and lasted longer once the job was done.

He had travelled extensively around the world in the 70's and 80's with his family. In his spare time he enjoyed walking, music, and gardening.

It is just over two years that he returned to HK to live again on Lamma, in the top-floor flat of his son's home in Pak Kok Tsuen. He immediately settled back in to Lamma life, involving himself with local people and in local activities, and procuring a property with renovation prospects in Tai Ping Tsuen.

He is survived by former wife Cherry, son Graham, daughter-in-law Julie, and grandchildren Anton (11) and Nathan (7). We will miss him very much. Rest In Peace, Granddad!