A loving and firm father who gave us so much

Wijemuni Shelton Allan de Zoysa grew up as an only child of Wijemuni Vincent Patrick de Zoysa and Walimuni Agnes de Zoysa, after losing his brother at the tender age of 11 years. Being a survivor he got used to doing things himself not depending on others; which trait he carried with him to the grave.

Although he grew up as an only child, he was compensated when he married my mother Alankarage Anna Hortentia Silva, the second daughter of a family of eight children. He and my mother had completed 63 years of wedded life upto the time of my mother’s demise six years ago. They were lucky to celebrate their Golden and Diamond wedding anniversaries on a grand scale. After the demise of my mother six years ago, he came to live with me, his only daughter. Out of his two sons one is domiciled in Australia and the other lives close by.

Our father being a disciplinarian, we were brought up very strictly albeit lovingly. He gave all three of his children a sound Catholic education. Good values were inculcated in us. As a devout Catholic he spent his last years in prayer. Whenever my friends requested prayers for their problems he used to readily oblige.

After his retirement as a Class I Officer at the Ceylon Government Railway, he dedicated himself to teaching English to deserving students. He used to charge only a nominal fee. Many students have benefited by his teaching. Teaching English was nothing novel to him as he had already taught at St. Peter’s College, his alma mater for a few years prior to joining CGR.

As the only girl in the family I was the apple of his eyes. I remember how proud he used to be when I used to come home with an excellent school report. As a lover of music, I remember how he used to enjoy the music whenever I played the piano. He was a very good dancer too and it was a treat to watch him do the jive and the cha cha. He could paint very well too, especially sceneries. Being a good orator as well, he had been a recipient of a silver medal during his schooldays.

He was in excellent health and he used to ride his bicycle until he was 85 years old. Being a stickler for discipline, he was very punctual in settling his bills.

His words of encouragement whenever I used to embark on a project was, “Hitch your wagon to a star; for even if you fail in your attempt, you will be somewhere amongst the stars”. These words reverberate in my ears when I attempt to do fundraisers for worthy causes.

He was a fountain of knowledge and a walking dictionary! There was a time when we did not have Google at our fingertips to check the spelling of words, and I used to ask him when in doubt.

He lived to the ripe old age of 97 years without being a burden to anyone. My dear Thaththa a whole year has gone by without hearing your voice and your cheerful laughter and not seeing your evergreen smile; it is so heartbreaking to see your empty bed whenever I walk into your room. I remember with nostalgia when I had to go out for a function with my husband I used to check on you whether you were sleeping and if you were awake you used to comment on my attire saying that I was wearing a nice saree…. and enquire where I am headed off to. I miss your blessings very much.

He used to be very fond of his three granddaughters and used to dote on his only grandson. He was a very proud greatgrandfather of one girl and two boys.

On your first death anniversary, my dear Thaththa I can only pray for you to find eternal peace with our creator!