Well, it took me quite some time to begin writing something of substance on this blog. Let’s face it — writer’s block does strike when it is least expected.
I had wanted to start off this blog on a cheery and upbeat note but it doesn’t seem to be happening this way. Just last week (19 July 2006), I had something of a shock in the office when a friend told me by SMS text that someone we knew had passed away.
What a shocker it was. Ooi Boo Chuan was only 49 when he collapsed in a playing field in Kedah, midway through playing hockey for a veteran’s team. People said it was a heart attack but there is also word that an artery may have burst.
It is very sad when someone you know gets cut down while still in the prime of his life. The newspapers are full of orbituaries but it is unnerving when you see a familiar face there, impassively staring out at you.
He was my junior at Penang Free School and even in those days he was already the aspiring hockey player. It was no wonder that Boo Chuan eventually donned national colours. For a while, he worked in the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank while I was still with Ban Hin Lee Bank. Then, he left this industry to become a remisier.
He was also a former president of the Old Frees’ Association and I am proud to say that we had served together in the management committee for many years. We had some good times in the committee and in 2002, together with some other OFA committee members, we even went to the Istana in Kuala Lumpur to pay an official visit to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, the Yang di-Pertuan Agung. Why? Because we are mighty proud that Sirajuddin is a fellow Old Boy of Ye Aulde Skoole, our alma mater.
Really, I’m still trying to get over this piece of news.
It is tough to get this piece of news. Something all of us have to learn to overcome…I am hopeful of more interesting blogs in the future from you
Most likely Boo Chuan suffered a sudden heart attack. A atherosclerotic plaque in a major coronary artery probably ruptured, triggering a catastrophic thrombosis (blood clot)which completely blocked the flow of blood and thereby causing the death of the heart muscle which was served by that artery. Unfortunately, the other consequence was the disruption of the electrical circuit of the heart which resulted in a fatal arrhytmia. Hence, the sudden death, even before the complaint of chest pain.
This sad event highlights the importance of identifying and managing cardiovascular risk factors (e.g hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and chronic stress) in everyone who is above 40 years old.
My sympathy to his family.
things are different since the last time i’ve been here, nice work. i’ll have to stop by more often.
Thanks for writing about Uncle Boo Chuan’s death on your blog. It is a shock, not only to his friends, but to all his family members and relatives. Up to this day, I still cannot believe that he is no longer with us.
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