Top brass come out for Aleong’s funeral

There was an outpouring of sympathy at the St Finbar’s RC church as  a large crowd of people attended yesterday’s funeral service for slain businessman Christopher Aleong.

Traffic backed up as far as St Anthony’s College further down the road as people filed into the churchyard. Grey clouds hovered as close friends, business colleagues and politicians formed lines outside, trying to get into the already packed church. Members of the media also turned up for the high profile funeral, but were warned from early by security personnel that they were not to photograph the events of the service nor were they to take photos of members of the Aleong family.

The service, which started a few minutes late, began with a message from Aleong’s granddaughter. In her tribute, Aleong’s granddaughter Amanda Aleong recalled the routine Sunday dinners at her grandparents’ home. “It was because of him that we have a sense of family life and family values. Nothing was ever too much for grandpa. He was certainly the best that we’ve known. Grandpa, we love you and we’ll miss you.” But it was the eulogy delivered by younger brother of the deceased, Conrad Aleong, which brought tears to the eyes of many who had attended the funeral service.

In delivering the eulogy, the younger Aleong reminisced on his brother’s colourful life. According to Aleong, Christopher was like a second father to the other brothers and sisters. Aleong said, “Hong Kai, as he was fondly called, made sure that everyone was taken care of. Even if it was school, or you wanted to branch off into your own business, Hong Kai made sure you had everything you needed to get started.”

Describing his brother as a “people person,” Conrad Aleong spoke of his brother’s habit of helping anyone who had problems. “His wife, Sandra is also a truly blessed woman, as she never once complained about his helping others. There were so many, and she never objected.” Although he seemed to keep up while delivering the eulogy, Aleong broke down and paused for a moment before he read on, “I will always remember you on the balcony, sitting in your chair. You gave love and were loved. You have gone but will never be forgotten. Had I known they were coming I would have taken your place.”

At this point, several persons making up the congregation could be seen removing glasses and wiping away the tears which streamed down their faces. Among the mourners at the service was Aleong’s close friend Russell Martineau, Russell Huggins, former chairman of the NWRHA Tim Gopiesingh and Minister of Housing Dr Keith Rowley. Following the service, Aleong’s body was taken to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery for burial. Aleong, older brother of former BWIA CEO Conrad Aleong, was shot and killed on Tuesday morning while driving out of his Petit Valley home.