AJ Patrick
Nov 5th, 2007 by Tian
“AJ Patrick passed away this morning”, I could not believe my hear the first time I heard it.
John Angules broke the news to me at the NUBE picket last Saturday (3 Nov).
Anthony Joseph Patrick was a veteran unionist. I first knew him from 1997 when he represented the MTUC in the steering committee of Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor (APCET). Pemuda BN stormed the venue of the conference, and Patrick were arrested together with other participants. He and I were in the lock-up of Dang Wangi Police Station. I could not remember how long Patrick spent in the lock-up (it might be 4-5 days).
Patrick was a righteous man. I will always remember him as an activist deeply concerned with many social and political issues.
Initially I was told his funeral would be held the next day (4 Nov). However the family decided to have an extra day to facilitate Patrick’s friends and comrades to visit and pay the last respect.
Patrick’s house was located in Ampang Jaya. I found my way by following the direction to Rais Yatim’s famous Minangkabau residence. Coincidentally Yoon from the ICEM was in KL and I took him along. Din, a staff of LRC too came with us.
Patrick had 3 daughters. I could see Patrick was a caring father. This was confirmed in my conversation with his first daughter Sheila. I was told that Patrick lost his wife in the 1970s and he was never remarried. He was a single parent as well as a committed labour activist. I can imagine it must be a tough task.
Sheila also told that Patrick in fact planned to join the NUBE picket that day. He told the house helper that he would first rest a bit. Unexpectedly he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Sheila said none of the family members expected his departure. People were so used to having him around, talking eagerly about a whole range of issues. Patrick was passionate person, especially on workers issues but social justice in general. He was also an honest person. He was never greedy for wealth. There had been many offers from MIC in terms of money, position etc. Patrick rejected all. He preferred to stay down-to-earth with the oppressed workers.
Patrick had even got everything set for the general election. He had on his own initiative doing a lot canvassing for a political change.
Patrick was turning 70 next year. He had witnessed the journey of our nationhood. He must have cared a lot about the future of the country. At least 50 years of his adult life, he had been compassionately fighting for the poor—not just defending them but empowering them by forming unions. He had not wasted any days of his life.
AJ Patrick had left us, but only his physical presence, his spirit stay on. Rest in peace, my comrade.
Sheila, Patrick’s eldest daughter (center), Yoon (right) and I
Hai Mr Tian, Thank you very much for writing about my father and remembering him for what he has done for people. He was a great man and fought for people’s right. Just to highlight to you that my dad has 2 daughters and a son. My elder brother’s name is Larry and he is 45 years old. He is a down syndrome. I am the second and my sister who is 35 years old is a kidney failure who goes 3 times a week for dialysis and she is also blind. So all this years even with all the work he had to do he look after both of them without any complains or help. I am going to miss my dad because he was my mentor, my mom, my dad and mostly he was my good friend.