My Lamma Forums

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:50 am Post subject: RIP, Jenkin "Jenks" Hiles

Email from Pia at 11:25pm:

"I am very sad to let you know that Jenkins Hiles passed away peacefully this evening at 10.30 in Grantham Hospital, Aberdeen.

"I and other friends had visited him earlier on in the afternoon and he was happy to see us.

"He will be greatly missed."

Here's my own favourite picture of Jenks the Gentleman Eco-Warrior:

soundbydesign · over 200 messages posted Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 228

Rest in peace Mr Jenks,

DaddyDancer · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 10

Rest In Peace Jenks.

Tavis · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

Peace be with you. I liked you and respected you quite a bit. I wish I had told you more explicitly. I hope your dogs are taken care of.

Marc Antony · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject:

Rest in peace Jenks. Is there someome who knows him well enough to pen an obituary? Are any of his family here?

Tigger · over 200 messages posted Joined: 02 Sep 2008 Posts: 280

May Jenks rest in peace.

A wonderful gentleman. I will miss him doffing his hat to me in greeting. He was happy to know his dogs Lara and Waldo are being well taken care of.

RAINBY NG · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 8

what a lovely gentleman.always raised his hat in greeting.really old school.lamma is a poorer place without him.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:20 am Post subject:

I've just found the painting of Jenks sitting outside Spicy Island (Afternoon Beer - MAK Keung Wai, 2008, Acrylic on Canvas, 51cm (H) x 61cm (W), exhibited in the Cultural Center last year. Click below to read the Lamma-zine story about this painting.

defensive tulip · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 32

Very sad to hear this news this evening. He was a true gentleman and a gentle soul. I will miss our chats on the way up Tai Peng hill. Rest in peace Jenks xx

Nancy · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:32 am Post subject:

What sad news. Jenks was such a sweet man. It was always so nice to come upon him tending the lily pond. He will be missed.

spamoza · Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 48

So sad to hear this news. I know Jenks grew up in Kenya (his family had a coffee plantation I think) and he went to the Prince of Wales school in Nairobi. He'd been in Hong Kong for many years but I don't know much more than that. I shall miss him.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject:

More news from Pia:

"Funeral on Friday 27 Nov at 1.00 pm - in St John's Cathedral, Hong Kong (with cremation afterwards)

"Jenkins had been in hospital since 11 October. He had breathing problems and couldn't swallow any more. He had stayed 3 weeks in Queen Mary's hospital when tests showed that he had lung cancer at an advanced stage which could spread quickly to bones and organs. He was then transferred to Grantham hospital, Aberdeen. Apart from not being able to breathe easily, he didn't seem to suffer any physical pain. On his last day, he had several visits throughout the day (included a priest from St John's cathedral - a friend - ) and he looked content. His brother Paul (/cousin) was with him in the evening until 8.15.

"At 9.00 he accepted a sleeping pill from the nurse, like the night before. At 10.30 a doctor realised that Jenkins had stopped breathing. He had passed away peacefully while sleeping.

"We'll all miss him, such a lovely person!"

Pia also asked if any of his good friends would like to speak at St John's cathedral on Friday? Please contact me and I'll forward you.

Your personal favourite memories and photos of Jenks would also be welcome to be added on to the eulogy written by one of his two brothers Richard and Paul, for the funeral and/or a Lamma-zine obituary. You can post them here or email them to info@Lamma.com.hk.

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Photos submitted by Mr DickStock. He writes:

"He was my role-model for growing older with grace..."

Tavis · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject:

I think we ought to find a good spot and build the 'Jenks Memorial Lily Pond'.

taipengsan · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 22

Jenkins Hiles, an ex-army officer who passed away peacefully on Thursday night (19 November) after a losing battle against cancer, was one of a kind: an old-world gentleman who was a Lamma landmark.

The lily pond he lovingly nursed in the valley adjoining the farm on the pathway to Taipeng village now lies buried under mounds of construction rubble that broke Jenks' heart. The closure and eventual disappearance of Spicy Island on the island's main drag where Jenks was a landmark fixture must have been ominous harbingers of what was coming next to the man in the rakish straw hat.

The cats on the walk from Taipeng village to Yung Shue Wan Main Street patiently waited each day for their diet of Whiska chow Jenks religiously doled out from his grocery bag. Though someone else has taken over the chore, Jenks, no doubt, will be sorely missed by his feline admirers.

There must be countless others who must miss the dry wit and humour of the irrepressible Jenks. With fond memories here is doffing my fedora to a Lamma legend who is no more.

Taipengshan
Cool

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject:

From Steve Cray:

"I am very sad to hear the Jenks has left us.
He ordered postcard size copies of this photo for his family, saying it was his favourite portrait of his senior years.
I took other photos of him but I like this one too, so posting it here is my way of honouring and remembering him. RIP."

foreign body · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 4:26 am Post subject:

He passed away peacefully in his sleep, what a nice way to go, perfectly in tune with his gentleness. I didn't know him , but i clearly remember he would sit on the stone wall near the waterworks building to catch his breath, before climbing up to Tai Ping, his dogs running ahead of him. We would smile at each other...not something you do too often in this town. I noticed he had lost a lot of weight recently, and i feared for his health, as he looked increasingly frail.
The memory of him sitting outside Spice Island, with his straw hat and his dogs, is forever etched on my mind. RIP Jenkins.

Nancy · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Great picture Steve; thanks. Tavis, I like your suggestion of a memorial lily pond. Jenks would be pleased. Anyone have the space?

Lamma-Gung · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

That's a really great idea!
What about using that nice little pond in the Tai Peng Community Garden, it's a smiliar size to the original Lily Pond.

Wouldn't that be a very suitable location, not far from Jenks home, easy to find and access for his friends and it would fit in very well with the wonderful spirit of the Community Garden! And in no danger of being filled in by construction waste any time soon!

Marilyn · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject: Lara and Waldo

Having been asked several times whilst walking through the village this morning "Oh you are taking care of Lara?" and further to Tiggers' message this post is to reassure everyone concerned that both dogs are being well taken care of. Lara by me and Waldo by Kate, ably assisted by her team of friends so he is never without company (or food!!!). Don't have a picture of Jenks with Waldo but I like this one of him with Lara.

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