2008/01/29
Pioneering journalist dies

Felix Abisheganaden was a charming and gregarious man
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran journalist Felix Abisheganaden died yesterday following a long illness at the age of 85.
His wife, Ivy, and other members of his family were at his bedside in Sunway Medical Centre. Felix, a former news editor of the New Straits Times, was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest."He would never sit still, he was always doing something," said his eldest child, Doris, at their family home in Shah Alam.A charming and gregarious man, his daughter said her father was constantly smiling.
"You would never see him down in the mouth. If he was upset, we never knew it."Even in the hospital, no matter how bad his condition was, he would tell his children, "I'm fine. Everything will be all right."In fact, said Doris, her father was constantly pulling the doctors' legs and "annoying" the nurses.Felix's sense of humour was much reflected in his children, who despite the tears in their eyes, laughed constantly while talking about their father.Youngest son Gerard, a musician, described his father as a generous person, always willing to share his time and energy."I have never seen him turn away anybody who sought his help." "He was kind to anyone who crossed his path and he always put others before himself," said son-in-law K.C. Boey, a former editor of The Malay Mail.Encouraging and supportive, Felix's house had motivational posters on every wall, next to the many pictures of his family and friends."That was my father all over. He believed in motivation and would give every one a chance," said Doris.Felix had a heart bypass in 1997 and was in good health until knee surgery last year, followed by other ailments in recent months. He was also talented in music. He played the banjo and saxaphone.In his younger days in Singapore, he was in a harmonica band.The siblings remembered many parties thrown by their "party animal" father, which always ended in "a serious sing-along session"."Even the parties were just a manifestation of his kind heart and generous nature. He wanted to make people happy," said Boey.Felix had always told the family that when he died, he did not want people to mourn for him."Instead he would say, 'Have a party. Celebrate my life'," said Doris.The casket will be placed in St Paul's Church in Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya, from noon to 2pm tomorrow. Funeral service will start at 2pm and the cortege will leave for the Cheras Crematorium at 3.30pm.