Many would have been left wondering why I had not paid my own tribute to Andrew master as yet. I attended his funeral and heard the many tributes paid to him, especially from his sons and I was concerned that I could fall far short of paying the tribute he deserves. Fully aware of this predicament I however felt that I should venture to pay a tribute not just on my behalf but on behalf of the SPC Alumni Association UK.

Just as I started writing I was reminded of a sermon that I had listened to many years ago, which was firmly ingrained in my mind and I hope will become clear to you why. The preacher alluded to the fact that the Jews addressed the prophet Moses as Moshe Rabbenu – Mosses the Teacher. Surely Moses had many attributes by which his greatness and his contribution to the Jewish people could have been recognised. He was the liberator of the Jewish people and led them out of captivity. He was the law –giver, a prophet and perhaps even a military leader. We all know the importance of these roles in the history of the Jewish people. Yet the people of Israel felt that the greatest role he had played in their lives and what they revered him most for was his role as a teacher. It is not often that we can recall the contents of a sermon. This sermon stayed with me. It reflected my own admiration and gratitude towards my teachers.

Each one of us could certainly recall a teacher who has left a lasting impression in our minds or one who inspired us to become who we are. Our parents perhaps had the greatest influence in our lives. Indeed it is true. But parents have an influence over their own children. It is almost frightening to imagine the number of children that a single teacher could influence, perhaps even over two generations. How often have we stopped to realise the significance of this. We at St. Patrick’s College were privileged to have had the benefit of some good and great teachers. Andrew master was an outstanding example.

Have I wasted precious space allotted to me by talking of teachers and Moses when I should have been extolling the virtues of Andrew master. I asked myself what Andrew master would have wanted. Had I given him the choice he would have said “Joseph, the modern generation has lost the respect that we used to have for our teachers. Please convey that sense of the importance of a teacher in our lives”. Andrew master the truly altruistic individual that he was would have been delighted if even a handful of readers are inspired to have an even greater respect and admiration for those in his chosen profession. I am certain that a tribute to his profession would please him more than anything I would say about him.

Many tributes have been paid to Andrew master the husband, the father, the teacher and in many other roles. It was moving to hear Jude talking of his father. There are few fathers as deserving as Andrew master. It was such a tribute to hear the son refer to him not just as father but as a friend. His submission to the will of God throughout his illness was a true reflection of his deep Christian faith. He once told me when he was fighting fit, “Joseph we have to accept God’s will’. How well he lived up to his beliefs.

I wish to pay special tribute to him as our leader in the alumni association. He succeeded me as the president. It was the early days of our association and it required strong leadership and we got it. He set the example and his influence lives on today and has undoubtedly influenced the highly successful presidents who followed him. He dedicated a lot of his time and effort and instilled that devotion to his alma mater to all the members of his committee and to the members of the association. Such was his devotion that when Anton heard of his admission to hospital and went to visit him his first inquiry was about the perpetual fund. Soft spoken and gentle in his ways he proved to be a president we all admired. Having achieved a lot he never made me feel inadequate with what I had achieved.

I am sure that all our members would join me paying a sincere and heartfelt tribute and make bold to say ‘not less is thy might wherein heaven thou art. Oh come to our aid in our struggles take part.

He is dearly missed by us all.

As I reach to connect him to celebrate his life now, I find he was altogether an exceptional person & a guardian – characteristically un-calculating, intrinsically empowering & spiritually stimulating. In my eyes I see him biting the side of his collar, shy & reserved. He was a man of few words, with a deep motivation to serve & help. He was an educated, liberated & talented and hailed from an illustrious family. He was yours & mine Botany teacher, my second dad & his late mum was my second mum. Master  நீங்கள் நடந்தாலும் எறும்பும் கூட சாகது.

It is sad that Andrew Master passed away this morning peacefully.
 
He was the second President of UK - SPC Association and has been the inspiration for many to work harder to achieve the best for our Alma Mater.
 
He also served as the editor of our association since the beginning till the Global Reunion in 2004 since 1991.
 
As a tribute we have attached some information from the SPC UK - Reunion magazine - 2004.
 
A wonderful man and was the pillar of our SPC Jaffna OBA UK and the man behind the success story from the very beginning. A very patient man and has the golden ability of being a mentor for everyone, probably the character he gained from his years of teaching career.
 
Today is indeed a very sad day for all Patricians around the world and should remember him in their prayers.
 
May his Soul Rest in Peace and the Dear Lord embrace him into his kingdom and grant him Eternal Life.

It's a sad day !
 
Andrew Master, has achieved success, lived well, helped others and
loved much. Late Andrew Master was respected of intelligent and well
liked by his students and loved ones.
 
He had filled his niche and accomplished his task. He attracted
people and committed to his school, students and family.
 
He had always looked for the best in others and given them the best
he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.
 
Please see a perfect tribute given to him by the organizers at the
2004 - SPC UK Reunion. A five minute tribute on youtube:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTEYZWqFtDc
 
Contact details:
Mrs Angela Andrew       01932-343-126
 
Son... Jude Andrew      01483-767-750
jude.andrew@bt.com      07711-888-678
 

 
 
 
B)   Also see Norway SPC site:
"The Birth-pangs of St. Patrick's College" article
 
http://www.patriciannorway.com/college.html
 
 
         ****************************
 
 
More messages to share:
 
1)   Dear Ferdi,
 
I was very much saddened by the sad news of Mr.A.B.Andrew who was my
teacher at College for a short time, a long-time co-legionary  and a
trusted friend. I just called Mrs.Angela Andrew and his son Niranjan
to express my assurance of prayers.
I was very close to him during his early life before his marriage to
Miss Angela Saverimuttu, who was also a co-
legionary. ............... ....... ..........Andrew (Jubilee, as he
was called at home) combined in him the qualities of a firm believer,
good teacher, active lay-apostle and a loyal-Patrician. His later
engagements for active life in the OBAs in Sri Lanka as well as
outside showed how deep he was planted in the patrician formation and
its traditions.
 
Because of my pre-planned travels, I may not be able to participate
in the final-farewell to him in London. But I wish that all
Patricians in London give a fitting farewell to this great Patrician.
May God grant him the eternal reward and grace to his family members
to go through the sadness of this separation.
 
S.J.Emmanuel
 
 
 
2)   Deeply regret the passing of Mr. Andrew, our beloved teacher at
SPC, under whom I also studied. We are all aware of his loyalty in
his teaching profession and his excellence in teaching as well as the
capacity to understand the students at his time.
 
In token of my appreciation of his services, I offer my prayers for
the repose of his soul and extend my deepest sympathies to all his
grieving family members and friends.
 
May his soul Rest In Peace!
 
Bishop Kingsley.
 
 
3)  Our beloved Andrew Master
 
You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all he has left.
 
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love you shared with him in the class
You can feel his presence when he called you 'thambi vilankuthey'
You can remember him and only that he has gone.
 
You can cherish his memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he wanted and what he 'd want:
Smile, Open Your eyes, love and go on
 
We will miss you Sir and the Good Lord Bless Your Soul.
>From the loved ones Sydney OBA down under   -  Timothy Arulanandam
 
 
4)  Hi Ferdi, -  Thanks for the message.I am very sorry to hear about
the demise of Andrew master.
 
He was my Botany teacher and a  harmless person. I still remember his
bicycle with a basket in front fixed to the handle.
We pray for his sole to rest in peace. With Regards  -  Karu
 
 
5) Thanks Mr. Ferdinand for your email.
 
Mr. Andrew (Master) was a well known person in the Patrician family.
I know him personally. Please convey my prayers and condolences to
the family members of Andrew Master.
 
Please assure his family that I would offer a Mass for the repose of
his soul.
 
I wonder whether there is any webpage for the OBA of the college. If
there is any such webpage, can you please let me know...............
God's Blessings   -  Fr. Edwin
 
 
6)  Ferdi
God Bless His soul. It is strange that I made copies of his edition
about the History of St Patrick's College at the Sydney Xmas Dinner
last December.
Cheers   - Adrian.
 
 
7)   Please accept the SPCAA, Colombo Branch our heartfelt sympathy.
May the bereaved family find solace in the inspiring memories of the
exemplary life of late Andrew Master.
 
Birg (Dr) H L David
President   - SPCAA Col Br
 
8)   He not only taught me Botany, I was brought up in his house down
Main Street next to Bastiampillai Book Shop. He feed me & I played
with him.   He is an harmless man. .......
 
I was very fortunate enough to give him the best Medical Care in my
Department before he was admitted to the Orthopaedic Ward .........He
is one of the strongest pillars of the OBA. Loved by everybody.   May
his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Anton Sandrasagra   (Past OBA President)
 
 
 
 
   ************************************
 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2009

X Manuelpillai, V Louis,  C Sabpathy,  E Guneratnam,  T Emmanuel, S K Sathianathan

H Singrarayer,  A Joseph, J Rajmohan, N Rubakumar, J Edirimanasinghe, A Sandrasagra, A Dominic

Exco 2009

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