ALBERT YEOH KENG TEIK (1927-2007)
Later that night, past 10 p.m. or so, my mom phoned me and told me that my father had passed out in his bedroom. My whole family quickly rushed to his apartment with another aunt of mine, Geok Lean. When we arrived, Geok Hoon was already there and we tried our best to revive him, to no avail. We decided that it would be best to admit him to hospital, so an ambulance was called and dad was admitted into the Penang Adventist Hospital.
A CT scan showed that my father had suffered a massive stroke on the left side of his brain. Dr. Samuel Easaw (who had treated my father for his first stroke) told us it was an embolic stroke, meaning that a blood clot had formed in his heart and travelled all the way up to his brain. Dad's speech ability was totally destroyed, and the right side of his body was paralyzed. Since his first stroke occurred on the right side of his brain, Dr. Easaw told us that things didn't look good. He advised us that it was better for my dad to be in the ICU. We agreed, and he remained in the ICU for five days.
The next day when we went to see him in the ICU, I was shocked at my father's appearance. Feeding and oxygen tubes were attached to his nostrils, while needles were attached in his hands to monitor his heart rate, respiration and so on. We were so worried that dad would leave us soon, but fortunately he was a fighter and he actually fought on for a month. We were also blessed to have my aunts Geok Hoon, Grace and Geok Lean around, who showed us the true meaning of love among the family. Not to mention the continuous visits of other relatives and friends. It was comforting to know that besides our family members, there were so many other people praying hard for him.
Five days later, Dr. Easaw told us that my dad's condition had somewhat stabilized, and thus he could be moved into a normal ward. So my mom and our family members kept a constant virgil over my dad. He had his up days, and his down days. He was asthmatic, and had a constant buildup of phlegm. His prostate was another problem. But we persevered with our love and prayers. My elder brother Kenny came back from Melbourne, Australia with his family to see my dad, They left Penang at the end of July.
During the last two weeks or so before my dad passed away, there were a few scary moments. There were times when his breathing would be laboured; it seemed that he was gasping for air (and he was on oxygen all the time). Furthermore, his heart rate would increase, to compound the problem. My mom, Kenny and myself decided to spend nights at the hospital to watch over my dad.
Toward the last week of his life, my father's condition deteriorated. Dr. Easaw told us to be prepared for the worst, but we did not expect it to be so sudden on that fateful Saturday, August 4, 2007. I received an urgent phone call from the hospital in the afternoon, and rushed to the hospital with my son as fast as I could. When I reached the hospital my dad had passed on, but Geok Hoon and Grace were with him. He had opened his eyes briefly to look at them, and I am convinced that he was happy to see their familiar faces. Arrangements and paperwork were completed, and his body was taken back to my aunt's house that very day. We had a wake service for my dad on Sunday night, where many relatives, friends and colleagues attended. Rev. Lawrence Francis and his wife presided over the service, while I played the piano for the hymns. Then on Monday (August 6) the cortege left the house at 12:30 p.m. and arrived punctually in Wesley Methodist Church at 1 p.m., for the memorial service. I played the organ, while Wei Nam played the piano. The hymns were all picked by Geok Hoon and Grace, and the service went very smoothly. Daisy Chuah sang a lovely tribute to my dad (with words by Geok Hoon) while my son Brandon sang Mario Lanza's "I'll walk with God." I gave an eulogy and was choked with emotion. The sanctuary was packed with people, who all came to pay their last respects to an icon in Penang's musical world. The E & O Hotel (where my dad played piano for almost 45 years) contributed an enormous wreath with some very touching words: "Your music will live with us forever at the E & O Hotel. Thanks for the memories."
After the church service, we proceeded to the Batu Gantong crematorium. The service here was brief, with Rev. Lawrence Francis presiding. The next morning we returned there to claim dad's ashes. We then took it to the Western Road cemetery where it was entombed in my grandfather's grave.
My family and I are very indebted to our 8th aunt Geok Hoon, who gave unconditionally of her steadfast love, support, prayers and finances towards the well-being of my father. 8 Kor, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A lot of tears have been shed for my father's passing, but I take comfort in the fact that my father's physical suffering has now ended, and that he is now in the loving arms of Jesus. Dad, we all miss and cherish you very much. We look forward to meeting with you again someday....
Footnote: Here are two articles about my father that appeared in the local newspapers. The memorial service bulletin can be viewed here. My father's tombstone can be viewed here.