KUALA LUMPUR: A good husband and a man who was always humble, genuine, gentle and warm. That was how Puan Sri Tan Kai Yong described her late husband Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay.

"It is with a heavy heart today that I remember Tiong Lay, the supporting pillar of my life. My life is incomplete without him.

"He was a filial son, a firm father. To others, trustworthy, to self, disciplined.

"When he was a young man, Tiong Lay was a diligent early riser. He worked himself very hard. His down-to-earth attitude and integrity won the respect and love of his acquaintances," Tan said in a statement on Friday.

"He was an ardent supporter of Chinese education and often showed concern for the Chinese community, not to mention his relentless charitable contributions," Tan said, adding that the aspect of Yeoh she valued most was his unwavering support and encouragement.

Tiong Lay and Kai Yong

Tan said Yeoh had always supported her with his constructive suggestions and actions, making her feel as if there was absolutely nothing too difficult or impossible to achieve.

"In addition, I always had Tiong Lay’s constant support in parenting. He never failed to help provide the best education for our children and our children’s children.

"All this stands as testament of his trust and respect for our younger generations.

"As a father and grandfather, Tiong Lay cared a lot for our younger generations’ education and moral character, as well as their unity.

"It was his hope that they would always be helping, supporting, and loving one another no matter what," she said.

Tan said her husband was a person who felt deeply for his hometown and constantly stressed on remembering their cultural and family roots and to be thankful for them.

"To instill our cultural roots in the future generations, both of us have brought them back to Kinmen, in the Fujian province, to visit Humei Dongbao village in Jinning County to introduce the local culture and help them reconnect with the place their

ancestors came from.

"On behalf of my family, I would like to express our gratitude to all family and friends, members of society from all walks of life, to all who have been present for Tiong Lay’s wake services and to those who have sent flowers and messages of condolence, for all your love and care.

"Lastly, it is with a very heavy heart that I present my eulogy to Tiong Lay, my dearest husband, who left us suddenly on Oct 18.

"May you rest in peace in the bosom of our Lord. Till we meet again."