In Loving Memory of Uncle Kok Kok

Sister

My Brother KOK

I dont remember much about Cheong Kok until I was about 3 or 4, as he was two years older than me. In fact the memory of my own baby/childhood is vague today. Mum and Dad struggled hard to earn a living, so photo-taking was a rare luxury in those days.

Cheong Kok, or "KOK" as a few of us called him, was a tanned, tall and cute boy, full of mischievous energy. Like most siblings, we had our little squabbles, and often I was tempted to pinch him, especially on his generous cheeks. His nickname was "hump bao". This I believe was on account of his chubby cheeks as observed by Hwa.

Growing up in Bras Basah Road, KOK and I had many common neighbourhood friends, so roping KOK for some mischief was not difficult. Prior to the digital age, kids did not spend time in front of a box (TV or computer), but would be out playing all kinds of games, mostly rather physical ones. Being a tomboy, I revelled in KOK's company as he had a lot of fun ideas and I was game for anything fun. However much fun we had, we had a body clock that prompted us to be back most evenings on time for dinner. Dad didn't like anyone to be late for meals, especially dinner.

KOK was a "juggler extra-ordinaire". He started school at St Michael's Primary, and later moved to St Joseph's Institution. His weekday routine was school, then back home to New Boon Beng (which served as both home and family business) for a quick meal and then he had errands to run for the family. These errands would include going to the bank, picking up men's clothes from some outsourced tailors, buying lunch or dinner (carrying a tiffin carrier he was quite embarassed to be seen in) or coffee (again carrying a kettle that had seen better days) but he was such a good sport and very accomplished too. He walked so fast that the food or drinks would still be fresh and piping hot when he got home. He made friends with everyone easily due to his gregarious nature.

KOK spent quite a lot of time like me, working in the family business. There was a clear division of labour. I attended to the needs of the brides, handled bridal make up and worked on bridal assessories. James was a talented wedding car decorator (he could decorate one in ten minutes), and I was fascinated watching him beat the daylights out of the competition. Along Bras Basah Road, we were the underdogs as we had a less impressive shopfront and a much smaller shop space. He also attended to the grooms and their party, who needed suiting up for the big day. Work was hard as we were both juggling school and the business, but in those days, there was hardly any choice. There were bills to pay and food to put on the table. Business was not always good or consistent. Even on Sundays, there was work to be done. I would help Mum change the mannequins' gowns, while James would mop the floors and clean the showcase windows. It was tiring but again, there weren't a lot of choices and over time, we got used to it.

If there was someone who had an entourage of friends, it was KOK. His friends called on him often as we lived only 5 minutes walk from St Joseph. His friends used to play "hide and seek" with Dad, because Dad didn't approve of all of them and of course, Dad also needed him to be in the shop. I recalled a friend of his named Tan Tiow Lock, who came by and asked Dad if KOK was in. Dad asked him why he was looking for him and he said, quote "to go for a walk". Without missing a beat, Dad enquired where they were planning to take a walk in such hot weather! It was so hilarious how that conversation went, that I still remember it fondly today. "Freedom" today for Gen X and Gen Y are taken for granted!

KOK had a tough life. But the remarkable thing about him is how rarely he complained. He used to sleep on a wooden makeshift bed on the shop floor, which meant it can only be set up after the shop closes at night (about nine). And it had to be folded back in its place before he left for school at seven in the morning. He did this on auto-pilot. Privacy was not a concept we were even aware of, growing up in the shophouse. KOK had an endearing routine every evening before bed. He would put a pimple cream on his face called "Nexoderm" and when he was done, he looked like he was having a facial. He was quite vain about his looks.

KOK had a great love for music and he loved to sing. I remember he would organise "mini concerts" for Hwa and I, where he would charge us ten cents for 3 songs. Being so deprived in our childhood, we actually paid him from our meagre allowances. The concert venue was at the bottom of our double decker beds. He had a wide repertoire of songs, from ballads like Delilah, Please Release Me etc to songs by Deep Purple and Creedence Clearwater Revival. He practised singing using his huge collection of "OK Song Books" and by listening to Redifussion's "American Top Forty by Casey Kasem". He used the end of a skipping rope as a microphone. He was a born showman, a natural sales person and gregarious all the time......already the life of the party from a young age. Had he been born in a showbiz family, I am sure he would be professional singer or some kind of performer. He would have done well in the Singapore Idol contest!

Most know KOK loves his food. Everyone also knew how generous he was. Whenever he was at a food place, he would call or drop by and surprise you with a snack or supper. He thought nothing of eating at all hours of the day. But he was still slim as a rod.

KOK lived at Waterloo Street for a number of years and later moved to Towner Road. After that, he got married and three kids soon followed.

I saw less and less of him but I knew he worked very hard to provide for his beloved family. Mum would often tell me that KOK brought her food or took her to some club for lunch and to play jackpot. Mum loved him dearly and often shared how filial and generous he was. I was not in the least surprised as KOK cared for everyone......... family, friends, schoolmates, colleagues and especially Mum.

It would be ten years on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, since KOK went home to the Lord. I was left in the dark when he had his first heart attack and was warded at NUH. I was in Kuching then for a meeting. I was only very worried about Aunty LC (Kor Por) who was at SGH having her second operation to address a spinal condition as a result of her cancer. I only knew KOK was at NUH a few days later, when I returned to Singapore. I had a chance to visit him, and offered my help with his medical condition. He downplayed the seriousness of his condition. He insisted he was fine and that I dont need to worry about him but to focus on Aunty LC. . Little was I to know that this NUH visit was the last time I would see him alive. He was discharged, went home to recuperate but had his second attack shortly after.

Till today, I sometimes find it hard to believe he is gone. It is sometimes easier to think of him as just staying at a different house. Family gatherings are a lot quieter without KOK, the life of the party.

But I am consoled that God knows best. He knows KOK needed rest and took him home early. For those of us still on this earthly journey, we look forward to one day meeting him in our Father's House.

Seah Cheong Yew

Brother

When I think of Cheong Kok, I will always remember that Playboy centrefold potential picture of him -- chubby, barely three years old and totally in the pink -- displayed at Limbok.

Who can forget that distinctive birthmark on his right upper arm, probably telling everyone that "I am special".

And he really was special to those of us who were close to him.

Of all the boys in the family, he was the most outgoing. He made friends easily, be it the hawker that he patronised regularly or some stranger he had met on the road.

CK was a lover of good food. He would drive all the way from his home in Yio Chu Kang to Tiong Bahru market on Sundays to satisfy his cravings.

Those were the days when "high cholesterol" was not in vogue. Even if he had known then that his LDL was on the high side, I think he wouldn't have been worried. Such was his attitude towards life.

CK was also a thoughtful and generous person. I cannot forget those Sundays when he would pop by without any warning and surprised us with packets of chwee kway and other yummy stuff for breakfast.

I also remember my weekend outings with him. One was a fishing trip in his friend's yacht and he had asked me to join them.

As usual, he took care of all the food and drinks. As we set out, I thought I was going to have a great time on board. But, alas, shortly after we were at sea, I started vomitting from motion sickness. Instead of catching abundant fishes from the sea, I was feeding them.

As for CK, he was perfectly okay as the yacht rocked and rolled. His years of sailing experience on the high seas had put him in good stead.

Although it was not a good outcome for me, the memory of that Sunday outing with my dear brother is treasured and will forever be etched in my memory.

Talking about CK's sailing days reminds me also of an adventurous trip we had in his ship to Penang in the seventies., At that time, he was working as a radio officer on board.

There were five of us -- mother, Lily, Su Lin, Janny and myself. I don't remember how much we had paid for the journey but I know it was not much as we had a discount.

I said earlier that it was an adventurous trip because we were not travelling in a luxury passenger liner like what we have today. The ship was carrying cargo and the other passengers on board were all workers. And there were rats, yes rats, running around!

We boarded the ship after taking a tonkang from Clifford Pier. We had to clamber down a flight of steps in the darkness of the night to get into the tonkang. When we reached the ship (sorry, I cannot remember the name now) we had to clamber up another flight of stairs to board it.

The one-day trip gave us an insight into the life of CK the sailor boy. He told us that although he enjoyed it, it could sometimes be lonely. He had better food as he was an officer, but despite that he longed to have variety.

He said some days when the ship was out in the open sea and the waves were choppy, it could be quite frightening.

When we landed in Penang, CK showed us around the usual tourist places. But one restaurant that he brought us to served the best gulai fish that I had tasted.

One last memory --- the Singapore Turf Club when it was still at Bukit Timah. CK had always been a punter. I don't know where he developed the habit, but I remember going to the turf club with him on one or two occasions. He was a member and it allowed him to bring a guest along on a race day.

He taught me how to bet and explained to me his method of betting that made sure that if he were to lose, he would not lose too much. I am not sure whether I was convinced,

But we had a good time eating, yarning and betting. The food was free because of his membership.

As I am writing this, my mind wonders whether, if CK was alive today, would he be a regular at the casinos.

Your bet is as good as mine. :)

Raymond Seah

Nephew

This photo is taken in the eighties, when i was only around 11 to 12 years old. Uncle Kok Kok brougt me to a cruise ship call Centaur.

Celine Sia

Niece

Came across this signature of Uncle CK, from my wedding guest book.

I enjoyed Uncle CK's unexpected visits to my parents' place when i was still living there. He always had funny stories to tell and he always brought food - always delicious unhealthy food.

Separately, if not for him i wouldn't have had the chance to ride in a bumboat in the middle of the night from Clifford Pier to take a cargo ship to Penang.

Selina Seah
Niece

Someone who never failed to show up when help is needed.

Miss you Uncle Kok Kok