Happy 97th Birthday to our Ah-Tio!

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Today, 8 Nov 2025 our late paternal aunt’s husband Ah-Tio celebrates his 97th birthday! 97 and what an amazing uncle to us. Among the men in our Bedok kampong home he was truly a leader, establishing himself as a manager at Bata shoes for both the Singapore and Malaysia markets. As a result of his work commitments, we find him based out at Klang, Selangor but coming back often to stay the weekend with us. He was always a good companion to our dad on their Malaya holidays together. We hear our paternal aunt managed to get our strict grandfather to approve of their relationship – however they only tied the knot in 1958, 3 years after our grandfather passed away in 1955.. Our Ah-Tio is a good-natured, generous man with a pleasant disposition who puts everyone who meets him at ease. He also had a quiet strength in him, that even after his beloved wife left him in April 2023, lives on in how he takes each day as it comes – knowing one day they will meet again. Blessed 97th birthday Ah-Tio! We love you very much!

1951 - The Bata Shoe company staff photo (colourised)

Nov 1957 with our late father (left) at one of the waterfalls at Cameron Highlands (colourised photo) 

June 1958, 6 months prior to this lovely couple tying the knot (colourised photo)


1973 - Jesting beside his Malaysia registered car

Dec 1973 - Pretending to be tired at Ipoh on our joint family vacation, with our cousin his daughter

Jan 2025 - Chinese New Year photo with family and relatives


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