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We are gathered today to pause and remember our friend, colleague and school buddy, Daniel. It's now well-nigh more than 50 years since I knew Daniel. We met when I joined Gurney Road School in Std 3. A new boy to the school as I was then, Daniel gave me a warm welcome and I have fond memories of the times I spent in his home, opposite the school. We moved on to the Victoria Institution where we were again classmates until Form 5. Our class 5B1 had tremendous camaraderie shown by the fact that we had the best polished hinges in school and consistent winners of the cleanest classroom in school. Being next door to the Headmaster's Room helped as was having an excellent mathematics teacher who also influenced both our careers in becoming engineers. After school we went on our own paths into a new world of adventure. After leaving school I am sure all of us had different experiences of sorts facing adulthood, some more difficult than others. Yet despite the time and distance apart, our VI 1963-1969 Class Cohort was able to regroup. Indeed, more than 50 plus of us are engaged in daily boisterous banter in our WhatsApp chat group. Daniel was a very active participant. Through it all, we would come together again, exchange pleasantries, war stories and all our vignettes that make us a little more colourful. It's fair to say we have been through all times with Daniel. Through the 50-year lens, school days have become rose tinted and almost a delight. Daniel was there to make light of matters that seemed so important then but now matters of trifling consequence. When we met, Daniel certainly made us look up to him for he was certainly very tall. Daniel was to us, the Voice. He could be heard long before he could be seen. We recall his strong lungs reverberating through us whenever he spoke at our VI gatherings. Daniel had always impressed us with his ebullient, exuberant personality with his zest for life, irreprehensible humour and irrepressible laughter. His warm presence and camaraderie will be irreplaceable and sadly missed at our future intermittent VI classmates' gatherings. He was one who appreciated life and gave as good as he got. Daniel lived his life pretty much as he saw fit and he was a kindhearted soul, not given over to much mischief. He carried his humour into his later life and was still much appreciated to the end. There are, of course, many ups and downs in life and I am sure Daniel had his own fair share of it. If there were any of consequence, he didn't show it and managed it without fuss. In later life, Daniel carried on as he did in school; being an all-round well-liked fellow. Work was always there but not something to be burdened with. Daniel studied in Canada and being an engineer by trade and an engineer by calling, he was able to practice his craft. He then decided to impart his accumulated wisdom on others so that the world could be more liveable. He was ever so humble and open to listen to those younger than him and would end discussions by asking, "What do you guys think?" and was truly a great teacher. Daniel believed in making in his own way a better world and was full of love and goodwill towards others as seen in his volunteer work in various charitable projects. Daniel was more animated than normal when he welcomed his grandson and we shared in his joy. He had this one more joy to add before his final departure. If I may cite Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer that "we are all travelers in the wilderness of the world and the best we can do is to find an honest friend". To us Daniel Alfred was such an honest friend and we shall sadly miss him. In all honesty he would have told us not to be saddened by his departure by citing this poem. If I Should Go Tomorrow Dear Daniel Alfred, you are an all Blue and a true Victorian. May your Soul Rest in Peace and find eternal repose in our Maker's presence. Vincent Lim 
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