The death of beloved Singaporean entertainer and known foodie Moses Lim at the age of 75 on Feb 11 has prompted an outpouring of grief from the local entertainment scene and many members of the public.
The star of Channel 5 sitcom Under One Roof (1995 to 2003) and Channel 8 sketch show Comedy Nite (1990 to 2000 and 2003 to 2004) died of ischaemic heart disease.
His remains were cremated on Feb 15 after a three-day wake.
His daughters, Grace and Angela Lim, sent out a message of thanks on the same day via a spokesperson from the family, saying they have been comforted by the love shown to their father and the anecdotes his friends and fans have shared about him.
They said: “Every message, every story, every little memory you’ve shared about him means the world to us during this difficult time. Whether you knew him from TV, met him at church, or even shared a meal with him at one of his favourite places, he had this amazing way of making everyone feel special.
“At home, he was our rock, our biggest cheerleader and the best grandfather our children could have asked for. Seeing how much Dad means to so many of you, how he touched your lives and brought joy to your homes through the years... it’s been incredibly moving.
“Please keep him in your hearts the way he’d want to be remembered – with a cheeky smile, sharing good food and spreading happiness wherever he went.”
Moses Lim is survived by his wife Monica, two daughters and four granddaughters.
The family said many of his famous friends, such as Comedy Nite pals Jack Neo, Mark Lee and Henry Thia; actors Terence Cao, Pierre Png and Gurmit Singh; celebrity couple Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen; and Lim’s Under One Roof co-stars Koh Chieng Mun, Nicholas Lee and Vernetta Lopez went to his wake, held at Church of the Good Shepherd.
The funeral service at Mandai Crematorium was attended by Neo, actors Huang Shinan, Zhu Houren, Chew Chor Meng and Vincent Tee, and actresses Tang Miaoling and Aileen Tan, as well as another celebrity couple, Felicia Chin and Jeffrey Xu.
Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao said local chef Heman Tan shed tears as he walked behind Lim’s family in the cortege. He also gave a eulogy at the funeral, and later that day posted on Instagram some words from his speech.
Addressing Lim as “da ge”, which means big brother in Chinese, Tan wrote: “He was my mentor, my good friend, my supporter. He’d meet me on weekends to check in on my endeavours and give precious advice. We had so much fun and (many) cherished moments during projects we worked on together. His family has treated me like I’m part of them, with warmth and love.
“(I am filled with) deep grief to see you go, but I’ll stay strong, for I believe that’s what you would’ve asked of me. Rest in peace my da ge, we shall meet again in heaven.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
