In Memory ofIn Memory of

Mr Yap Kow NgeeMr Yap Kow Ngee

悼念悼念

叶高义先生叶高义先生

3131stst October 2001 October 2001２００１年１０月３１日２００１年１０月３１日

Date of Birth:28-1-1912

Place of Birth:Hainan, China

祖籍中国海南省琼海市九曲江乡星池管区礼照村

家父从小离乡背井到新加坡来谋生，吃尽苦头，做过各种行业。由于刻苦耐劳，最后终于成为南洋商报电版部主任至退休。他是一位尽职的好父亲，任劳任怨，为的是提供子女三餐温饱，接受良好的教育。

他也很孝顺祖母，定时汇款给在海南岛的祖母，建屋买田，照顾在那儿的大女儿俊兰与二叔家人。一直到去世前，还不时寄钱去给侄儿俊鸿。记得小时候，父亲早出晚归忙着工作，有时他放工回来，还未休息，报馆就因偶发事件，派人来叫家父回去工作到凌晨才回来。

当他在晚上加班后，便会买一包炒米粉回来，叫醒我们这些孩子起来分享夜宵。可见他多么疼爱我们。家父是一位工作态度认真，照顾家庭的好父亲。当儿女有什么病痛或有麻烦时，他都会因担忧而失眠。

虽然他的表情严肃，不拘言笑，但我们都能感受到他的关怀与爱心。

俊来

A tribute to my Daddy:

When I was about two years old, as a little boy staying in Choon Guan Street in one crammed room with six other siblings, two elder brothers, three elder sisters and one younger sister.

Daddy was innovative, got a carpenter and custom-made another upper deck so that we all, together with both our parents, could stay under one roof with double the area per person.

He was a no-nonsense man. I remember when he asked my second elder brother to do little errand and refused, he was caned immediately.

I saw the caning and I “kaput” and reluctantly took over the errand lest I faced the same wrath.

One night while sleeping on one side, turned over and stretched my left arm and accidentally toppled a hot iron when my sister was

ironing some clothes next to me and scarred my left palm. I was rushed to a Chinese “sinseh” and a concoction of medical herbs was applied to relieve my excruciating pain.

Today I am still bearing that scar mark and remember the other softer side of him as a caring father, blowing my left palm to sooth my pain when I showed him my scar.

Love,David Yap

致亲爱的父亲，

爸爸，您每天工作从早到晚，都是为了这个家。您每晚工作回来，都会打包夜宵给我们兄弟姐妹，每晚都叫醒我们起来吃夜宵！

爸爸很爱妈妈。他们时常吵架，但是都是很关心彼此。爸爸赞助妈妈和我们去旅行，但是他本身不喜欢旅行，而把积蓄送给中国的亲人建屋子。

妈妈病重时，他会自己编中药给妈妈治疗。妈妈去世刚好120天，现在他也跟着去了，因为他们是一对恩爱夫妻，他去世很安详！

俊镁

Whenever I see rubber bands, I will always remember my grandfather because he always used the rubber band to shoot me when I was naughty. As time goes by, when I grew older, Ahgong did not do such things anymore. My communication with Ahgong had also lessened as I had not spoken Hainanese for a long time, but Ahgong would still try to talk to me.

Whenever I came to visit him, looking at him changing so much from the past, from a big tummy man to a very skinny man made me realised that time had passed so fast. Now, after so much suffering, he is at last gone but still, I will always remember him as a great grandfather who taught me to be good.

Love, Leong Leong

致我最亲爱的爸爸：

我还记得小时候，妈妈煮好了晚餐，准备从老远的厨房拿到家里给我们吃，很不幸地跌倒，伤了膝盖，我就一直哭个不停，爸爸只好给我一些零钱，哄我安静。

我拿了爸爸给我的五角、两角，暂时停止了哭泣，但是久久想了又想，又再哭。爸爸为了要我停止哭泣，一直拿了不少钱给我，结果我满手都是爸爸给我的钱。还有一次，我生病发烧，也不断哭泣，爸爸为了安慰我，就抱着我在家里走来走去！从这些看出父爱的伟大！

爸爸与妈妈逝世相隔４个月又１天。妈妈去世是农历五月十四，爸爸是农历九月十五。还记得妈妈逝世后不久，爸爸一直都问我为何他还在世上，因为爸爸和妈妈是一对名副其实的恩爱夫妻。我就安慰他，说生死有命，尽量放轻松些，但他一直说他很多病痛，他很痛苦，我就尽量安慰他！

永别了，爸爸，我最亲爱的爸爸！愿您在天之灵，能和妈妈在一起，双宿双栖，保佑我们子子孙孙代代平安，身体健康，事事如意。

Love,

Doreen

Through the fourteen years, I know myself, I have not been close to Ahgong. Due to the fact that I could not speak Hainanese, there is a big communication breakdown between us. Now that he has gone to rest, I just pray that he will rest in peace.

Angela

I wasn’t taught Hainanese when I was born. Communication between Ahgong and I was a problem. I remember when I was younger, Ahgong tried asking me whether I’ve eaten. I did not understand. Only until Ahgong showed me a hand sign then I understood and nodded.

You’d never cherish a person only after he’s gone. After I knew that he had passed away, I regretted not spending more time with him.

There was this time in school when my whole mind was filled with Ahgong. I was having my Higher Chinese lessons when my teacher over-shot the time. My mother and my sister called me on my handphone urgently because my sister was going to have tuition later. Suddenly, all I could think of was, “Is Ahgong okay? Is anything concerning him?” I couldn’t pick up the phone because my teacher was still babbling about the worksheets. Later on, I found out that Ahgong was still fine.

The day when I had my last paper, mother had dressed up to rush to the hospital with the news that Ahgong was in a serious condition. I went home after school and the last minute before leaving the house, I was given the shock that Ahgong had passed away. How I wish Ahgong would rest in peace and receive the houses we will burn to him.

I love him forever.

Love, Eliza

Dearest Ahgong,

You always looked stern. However, when you were telling us about the story of yourself in China, you were always so excited and keen to tell us every detail. You did not talk to us often, but we knew that you cared for all of us in action instead of in words.

I will remember every single detail of what you told us. I will remember you forever. May your next life be filled with happiness!

Love,Jenny ( 盛芳）

Ahgong,

The values and stories that you told me will always be remembered.

Goodbye Ahgong!

Wai Sung ( 维盛）

公公，

您的故事永远明记在心。

国盛

Tribute to my dearest Ahgong:My mum always tells me that although Ahgong may look very stern, he is actually very caring and kind deep in his heart. I fully agree with her. Ahgong worked hard and took great care for his family, both in Singapore and Hainan, all these years. He made sure that everyone in the family had a good education and a good life.

Despite his lack of education, he still managed to learn to read Chinese on his own, allowing him to read newspapers and be in touch with worldly affairs. He also learnt Chinese medicine just by reading some books that my brother brought back from Taiwan. Through his hard work and intelligence, he cured the illnesses of lots of family members and friends. They are all very grateful to him.

Ahgong, I will always cherish the fond memories that we share: my childhood days in Toa Payoh, the countless birthdays and festival celebrations that we enjoyed, and the numerous stories that you and Popo shared with us. May you be together with Popo again in your wonderful next life.

Love always, Kai Kai（昌锴）

敬爱的父亲：

妈妈刚过完她的百日忌辰不久，您也跟着撒手尘寰，这使我觉得好悲伤。但是转念一想，您这一去对您来讲是一种解脱。我就不那么难过了。

回想起您生病的那一段日子，每当我去探望您时，您总是问我为什么人在死前一定要经过病痛，又说您怕象妈妈一样会受病痛的折磨。您还问为什么新加坡不可以有安乐死。我无言以对，只能安慰您说“生、老、病、死”是人生所无法避免的，您不要一直想病痛很苦，只要您诚意念呵弥陀佛，他最终一定会来带您的。

我又劝您如果难忍病痛，最好是住宿医院，因为医院有各种设施可减轻您的痛苦。

在您进医院的两个星期前，我去探望您时，就觉察到您与往日不同，您多数时间在睡，而且也不愿多讲话。那时我就有预感您的日子不多了。

所以在医院时，我叫医生尽量减轻您的病痛，给您吃安眠药与打止痛针，幸好医生都照做了。

爸爸，我觉得安慰的是您不必经过痛苦的挣扎而去世，而是安详的解脱。我想您一定是在去世之前就觉悟了人生的真相，所以您火化之后有很多舍利花，我觉得很安慰。

我想您一定是在死前原谅了仲娟，心里没有恨，所以才能解脱。因为仲娟过后有打电话告诉我说在您弥留那晚，您有入她的梦乡。在她的梦中，您笑容满面地在她面前走过。我听了很高兴，再加上道教的师父说您是会成仙，我好高兴啊！

爸爸，希望您在天之灵，能够帮妈妈觉悟，因为我觉得她是不舍得这人世间。希望您能帮她离苦得乐，修成正果。

爸爸，请您放心地在天界修行，我们兄弟姐妹一定会永远相亲相爱，互相照顾的。

俊志上

亲爱的阿公，

您会永远的留在我们的怀念中。

炳文

亲爱的阿公，

我会永远怀念您的。

耀文

My sweet memories of Ahgong stretched way back to my childhood days! Ahgong often brought me along when he visited the barber, Chinese medical hall, market, etc. We would take a bus there and I would tell him my ambitions along the journey. I almost always came back with a toy car and a bunch of bananas (my favourite fruit).

As I grew older, our favourite topic revolved around Ahgong Popo’s younger days. Popo often joined in our conversation too and Ahgong would tell me how he came to Singapore from Hainan Island to earn a living as an apprentice in a colour printing house; life during the Japanese occupation when Ahgong Popo set up a business to manufacture brooch (Japanese flag);

selling drinks as a hawker at the bridge across the Singapore River; trading medical and chemical products with the Japanese Army; then back to colour printing house for the Japanese newspaper; continued career as a supervisor in the colour printing industry post war.

Ahgong was very interested in Chinese medicine in his later years. I once gave him a medical book from 观音庙 in Taiwan and he used it to save many people from illnesses with it, including himself, Popo, family members and even many old neighbours in Tampines.

I am thankful to Ahgong for all the love and advice that he had given me and I think I am going to miss calling “Ahgong Popo”!

Kee Kee

岳父的长影不易消失岳父享年九十岁，大部分时间在维持家计和为儿女的前程而操劳。我结识他长达３８年之久，对他的行为和思维有相当的了解和认识，他给我留下的是温馨的回忆和深刻良好的印象。

岳父儿时家贫，仅受三年教育。父亲早逝，九岁时与母生离，从琼海县礼照村随一名乡亲步行九日到达海口搭船赴南洋谋生。他俩一路上餐风饮露，夜宿农家，年幼的他首次体验人生的苦楚，心灵深处难忘慈母的关爱。虽在青山绿水中踏着征途，他无心多看美景，不知哭泣了多少次。

颠簸着过了太平洋，终于抵达新加坡。他当过杂工。他曾尝试学西洋拳，企图做个拳手，打算以被人重挨的方式来争取较多的钱，后因不合格而含恨另谋他职。他一度为生活而与一马来家庭结缘，有了机会学会马来语，这对他以后的事业有帮助。

岳父成年后在一家出版社当电版制作工人，有缘得一名日籍技师传授技艺，日后才能成为专业人才而维持得了庞大的家庭开支。岳父为儿女提供中小学乃至大学的教育不落人后，原由他能节源开流，治家有方。日治时期，他拼手胝足，冒险营生，挨过了三年六个月！

二战之后，岳父承蒙友人推荐而能在南洋商报任电版部主任，自是满心欢喜。不幸花无百日红，商报发生了工潮，期间岳父独立操持全盘的电版室工作！由于操劳过度太久，工潮后他病倒了，病中他喃喃自语好多天，幸得自若聪明的岳母在侧体贴照顾，终于化险为夷而能安康长寿。

他的牺牲式的献身与工作，深得老板李有成的赞赏，同意让岳父在年过六十后，继续操持电版部门工作。这多数年的收入，使他的经济情况有了保障！他想到了家乡的教育，他心中有个陈嘉庚，他慨捐一笔巨款给琼海小学！

岳父退休后并没有闲散下来，他曾想开班授徒，终因当时的大芭窑交通不便而作罢。于是，他开始学习一门通俗的学问，他为人免费取名纳福、选择黄道吉日、预测运程吉凶等等。他将数本通书翻得“老态龙钟”，手不释卷。

岳父幸庆有缘喜获《杨大夫医学秘方》一册，他又增购不少参考书籍，开始为自己和慕名而来求方者处方医病。有受惠者登门礼谢，岳父自是欣喜，同时谦辞连连，声称只是代杨大夫广传医道而已。

他十分重视健康的生活方式，对饮食十分自制，定时做甩手运动，每次数百甩。按时去咖啡店找老友谈天，多享受乐龄的余晖。

岳父的外表冷而内心热。他对子女的关爱不形于色，他常与妻子谈及子女的状况，关怀备至，流于忧虑。他对于唯一的弟弟和侄儿及家庭成员也克尽心力。

他的弟弟在新加坡患上慢性病后就回乡养病，此后一切生活费都由岳父按月寄送，直至弟弟身后，岳父仍然为侄儿等一家生计操劳心力，为了望弟家有后代继承香火，岳父吩咐我拟定一封恳情书，寄给家乡的县长，恳求他网开一面让侄儿多生一子，幸得天从人愿，现下，迟来的小侄孙子已入小学了！

约十年前，岳父第一次携带儿媳及大女儿和大女婿回乡探亲，我发觉在整个行程中，他虽然有点不良于行，又带着一点固疾，他总是喜形于色。虽不是衣锦还乡，总是美梦成真！

岳父对待女婿和媳妇也关怀溢于言表，他在重病前喜欢喝咖啡，由于推己及人，也常在为己泡咖啡是频问我要不要也喝一杯。那时，我没这个习惯，故总是婉辞了。唉！现在我开始喝咖啡了，多么希望时光退转，让我有幸喝他亲手泡出的咖啡！早知如此，悔不当初！

岳父对下人也常温婉相待，赏赐及时。昨日，旧日女佣阿伊斯 (Euis) 随新主人来凭吊，竟泣不成声，掩面抹泪，令人伤感不已！

我仅将此文献给岳父，因为我觉得岳父一生的为人有不少方面，可供子孙参照学习。

大女婿余永华写，是用岳父的圆珠笔写的。２００１年１１月３日

孝男：叶俊才孝媳：陈秋枫

孝男：叶俊嶙

孙男：叶维盛孙男：叶国盛孙女：叶盛芳

妻：莫泽今（金）（已故）

孝男：叶俊桂

孝女：叶俊来孝婿：余永华

孝女：叶俊镁孝婿：万俊邦

外孙男：余昌奇外孙媳：杨蕴菁外孙男：余昌锴

外孙男：万德良

孝女：叶俊志孝婿：麦俊国

孝女：叶俊庄孝婿：李达君

谊女：郑美珠

外孙男：麦炳文外孙男：麦耀文

外孙女：李慧明外孙女：李美璇

Sons:Yap Toon Sai,

LawrenceYap Toon Lim,

DesmondYap Choon

Kwee, David

Daughter-in-law:

Tan Chew Hong, Nancy

Wife:Boh Chek Kim (belated)

Daughters:Yap Soon LyeYap Toon Muay,

MargaretYap Toon CheeYap Choon

Chuan, Doreen

Sons-in-law:Er Yong HuaWan Chin

Pong, PeterBek Choon

KokLee Tat Wan,

Augustine

Grandsons:Yap Wai SungYap Kwok SungEr Chiang KeeEr Chiang KaiWan Teck

Leong, ClarkeBek Peng BoonBek Yao Boon

Granddaughter-in-law:

Yeo Wan Cheng

Granddaughters:Yap Sung Fung, JennyLee Hui Ming, AngelaLee Mei Xuan, Eliza

Initiated by: David YapProduced by: Er Chiang Kai

Contributions from:

Yap Soon LyeMargaret Yap

Yap Toon CheeDoreen YapEr Yong Hua

Er Chiang KeeClarke WanJenny Yap

Yap Wai SungYap Kwok

Sung

Angela LeeEliza LeeBek Peng

BoonBek Yao

Boon