Eulogy to the late Francis Ng, DTM - by NJ Singam, DTM

Fellow Toastmasters,

It was indeed a great lost to the Toastmasters community with the demise of Francis Ng, DTM.

NJ Singam, DTM wrote an eulogy to Francis Ng, DTM, a very truthful and touching eulogy. I would like to share it here in the memories of Francis Ng, DTM.

THE LATE DTM FRANCIS NG

        Only as high as l reach can l grow;

 Only as far as  l seek can l go;

Only as deep as l look can l see;

Only as much as l dream can l be.

                                                      - Karen Ravn

Dear Toastmaster,

Time, can also at times be untimely - particularly when it plucks productive people away from us...at their peak, and in their prime. 

And so it was with our veteran of more than 11 years -- the late Distinguished Toastmaster Francis Ng. 

His abrupt departure just three days ago...on Sunday the 22nd... robbed the Money Mastery Club of Kuala Lumpur of its illustrious son and Charter Secretary. But the loss was also for Area G4, Division G, and District 51...

the loss of an eminent Toastmaster - one who was not only 'Distinguished' by the award he had earned, but also distinguished by the superlative services he had rendered.

While it was publicly known that DTM Francis was already debilitated for some time by his illness, yet, his gallantry in continuing to attend TM events on a wheelchair belied the truth to all of us...that his health was continuously on downturn.

Perhaps he alone had a foreboding about what was about to happen... because he had adamantly insisted, even against the advice of doctors, on being discharged from hospital (where he had undergone surgery just a few days earlier) in order to be back at home.

Sadly for us, the Universe decided that this star from District 51 be detached from planet earth, and be re-attached above - perhaps to adorn and brighten the heavenly abode for the in-coming new year.

DTM Francis is best described as an extremely committed and an absolutely dedicated Toastmaster - even though this, by itself, is an understatement. His eagerness, enthusiasm, and all-time energy to promote Toastmastery was, in my assessment, neither surpassed nor equaled before. He traveled high and low, far and wide, and even day and night...to quench his passion and fulfill his mission - to make Toastmastery available to as many as possible.., as quickly as possible.., and as best as possible.

Unfortunately, these admirable attributes worked to his detriment when it came to his own personal popularity. Those unable to keep to his strict punctuality and exacting standards would complain about him...so as to defend their own shortfalls, and to deflect focus on their personal shortcomings. Thus he inevitably earned their gripes and grievances; and even backlashes of disagreements and disputes. But.., if DTM Francis had fixed his mind on something, there was no way anyone (or even everyone) could change that fixation.

Additionally, his penchant to ensure precision and perfection mutated his leadership style into micro management, overrule of others' decisions, and crusty corrective comments - all of which contributed to the dip of his popularity among those who disliked his unvarnished mannerism.

And yet, they could not do without him...without his knowledge and expertise, his advice and guidance, his service and support ! He could take on any role without prior notice; and he could undertake any responsibility at extremely short notice. I remember that he once saved an Area Contest by accepting to be a replacement Chief Judge, and arranging for 6 Judges - IN LESS THAN 18 HOURS ! In fact, he was the "999" service provider for numerous AGs, DvGs, and even DGs. Urgency or emergency? Call Francis ! Further urgency or emergency? Also call Francis ! 

In analogy to the Chinese proverb of eating more salt than rice, DTM Francis had probably chartered more clubs than an average TM would have sponsored individual members. He was the savior for DvG after DvG who needed extra clubs to replace the lost ones. And it was his support that helped Areas, Divisions, and even the District to achieve President status.

I am not able to recall the specific years, but DTM Francis was awarded as "DvG of the Year"; and also, prior to that, as "AG of the Year". He was probably also conferred the award of "Toastmaster of the Year", (but there is no archive, or a permanent Secretariat in our District for me to verify this).

From the personal angle, there was also the caring and compassionate part of DTM Francis which few were aware of.

When l was the Governor of Division G in 2010, the late Tuan Haji Naburi Idin was the AG of G1. I remember Tuan Haji as a sincere gentleman, with a jovial nature and a strong TM spirit. Unfortunately Tuan Haji's health was afflicted by a combination of serious illnesses, including vertigo. Tuan Haji confided with me that before becoming an AG, he had wanted to retire and go into a secluded lifestyle. But DTM Francis had persuaded him to continue living an active and contributory life. DTM Francis would purposely appoint Tuan Haji as a Contest Judge, go out of the way to pick him up from the latter's house, and also send him back home after the contest. And DTM Francis did likewise for Tuan Haji to attend MM's club meetings and other TM events until Tuan Haji got back onto his own feet.

All this is not to say that DTM Francis was without his critics or his detractors. There were those who disagreed with him - utterly and bitterly - on several issues. But even they will not disagree that DTM Francis was indeed dependable, and that he always delivered. Words in the English language - like indefatigable, indomitable, and inexorable - were probably created by word craftsmen so that DTM Francis be described aptly and appropriately.

While expressing our condolences to his bereaved family members, we also console and comfort them...that DTM Francis had not lived in vain. In his 11 years plus as a Toastmaster, he has probably packed-in more than 51 years of contributions to District 51 as compared to the average Toastmaster. 

He was so all-inclusive, that he not only attended innumerable English TM events across all Divisions, he even attended Tamil, Mandarin, and BM events. He was there at Tamil KL's meetings twice; and also there for the Showcase meeting for the Tamil Puchong club. 

Thus, the seeds that he sowed were for all kinds of Toastmaster fruits and flowers. And these will surely grow...to become fragrant gardens, beautiful parks, and resplendent esplanades...through the scores of clubs and hundreds of Toastmasters who have been his direct beneficiaries.

If DTM Francis chooses to send his final message to each one of us now, it will surely be:

MERRY CHRISTMAS; 

AND A HAPPY PRESIDENT DISTINGUISHED YEAR !  

ENJOY YOUR TM JOURNEY; 

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR TM'S PROMISE ! 

With appreciation and gratitude to a great Toastmaster,

Singam.