UPDATE - Details of the Sea Burial

All,

John's remains will be spread to the sea according to his wish. We have booked a boat to take us out to Tung Lung Island where a simple sea burial ceremony will take place.

Date: 8/12/2012 (Saturday)
Time: 12:00 - 2:30
Departure: Sai Wan Ho Typhoon Shelter - opposite to Eastern Courts Building (sharp at 12:00)

The boat can hold around 60 people. We will set up a Facebook event shortly. For those who wish to take part, please enrol on Facebook.


Organising Committee

Tribute from Amanda Kinnison

 `Will miss catching up with you and other EETs while enjoying a good Chinese meal in Hong Kong’

(Amanda is a fellow NET arriving at Hong Kong in 1987 with John)

UPDATE2: Funeral Services for John

Dear Friends, Students and Colleagues of John,

The Funeral Services of John are scheduled as follows:

10 November 2012 (Saturday)

A wake service will be held at 基恩堂 on 1/F, Hong Kong Funeral Home (Quarry Bay, MTR Exit C) from 4:00 pm. Rev. Dale Hanson will conduct a funeral service from 7:00 to 7:30. This will be followed by individuals who would like to pay a final tribute to John.

We will set up a memorial corner to display some of John's photos. Susan has also kindly given us the permission to give away John's books and CDs to his friends. These will be displayed in the memorial corner.

11 November 2012 (Sunday)

A ceremony will be held on 1/F, Hong Kong Funeral Home (Quarry Bay, MTR Exit C)  from 12:00 noon followed by cremation at Cape Collinson Crematorium at 2 p.m.

For those who wish to attend the cremation at Cape Collinson, please register at the reception on Saturday. Transportation will be arranged but will be limited to 100 people. The coaches will leave Hong Kong Funeral Home at 1:30 pm.

Booklet and Tributes

We will prepare a booklet for distribution during the funeral. Should you wish your message to appear on the booklet, please send your tribute to wattsjohndavid@gmail.com on or before 7 November (Wednesday).

For those who wish to pay a final tribute to John during the wake service, please send you name, contact no., and how / when did you first know John to wattsjohndavid@gmail.com on or before 7 November (Wednesday)

In lieu of flowers, you can send your donations to the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society.  http://www.hkacs.org.hk/

Please pass on the message to whomever you thought might want to attend John's funeral.

Best wishes,

The Organising Committee

Message from Albert Lam

Dear Mr. Watts,

I still remember our class teacher told us that a native speaker would be our new English teacher for the coming school year in F.3, and we were all excited.

I still remember when you first came into the classroom and the first thing you said to us was "Good morning, everyone!"

I still remember you played English songs during the lesson and we always asked for games instead of grammar learning.

I still remember our chats during recess time and after school, and you never feel annoyed wherever students came to talk to you.

I still remember the movies that we watched together and the music that we listened to.

I still remember the things you taught me and encouraged me to pursue.

I still remember your love and concerns to all the fellow students that you have taught.

Thank you for your inspiration and being my great teacher and a great friend.

I'll be missing you.

Albert Lam

Message from Chung Wai

You are my great english teacher..
I could still remember how you smile and call me "Mr. Lau" with a whirling finger pointing at me in a strong smell of coffee atmosphere.
You taught me guitar in form 3 for a very short time as a AYP course.
You brought Billy and me to your home for a tea.
You encouraged me a lot and boosted up my self-esteem to speak English...
You.... You are really my great teacher!!!!
Thank you so much!

May the tears bring away the sorrow and sediment the memory between you and all Raimondiansssssssssssssss!!!!
It's really a blessing to have such a caring teacher like you.

What i regretted is i could not tell you i am graduated now and could not have a photo with you!
Miss you so much and forever and ever.....

Chung Wai (2007 Raimondi Graduate)

Photos from Alderick

These two photos are from the visits John made to Swansea, South Wales 11 years ago.

Farewell, my friend. I'll be missing you.

Message from the Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College

To the family and friends of Mr John Watts,

The staff and students at Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College wish to send our sincere condolences at the passing of your loved one. The staff and teachers who worked with John remember him fondly. We send our thoughts and prayers to one an all at this difficult time.

The photos below are of John with the old Principal, Mr She and John with his sister and Miss Ng Hon Har, our accountant, who is still here. She said she just happened to bump into John while she was visiting England. It is a small world indeed.

Although I never met John, as a former NET teacher, we share a history in Hong Kong. We have lost a brother.

I hope that our warm thoughts will provide some comfort at this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Lee
Vice Principal
BFHMC

Message from Danny Kan

Dear Mr. Watts,

You are one of the few English teachers whom I respect the most, for all the efforts you put into making English alive in a boring and dull classroom - the skits, the games and the music are still vividly in my mind after 15 years!

 

You are one of the few friends with whom I have managed to stay in touch over the last decade, for you treasured our friendship and cared to stay in touch - your travel adventures never failed to amaze and your witty remarks always made my day!

 

The moment you left Raimondi, I felt deeply sorry for Raimondi's loss of an inspiring teacher; the moment you left us, I felt sorry for our loss of a dear friend.

 

Best,

Danny

(Student of Mr. Watts, 1995 - 1996)

Message from John Whelpton

I first met John in 1987 when we both arrived in Hong Kong as members of the first batch of recruits to the Expatriate English Language Teacher (EELT) scheme, forerunner of the present Native English-speaking Teacher scheme. We saw a lot of each other from then on, including climbing Mount Kinabalu together in Sabah and touring the English Lake District, where John was the key member of our party as neither my wife or I are drivers! In Hong Kong we usually met for a (more-or-less) traditional British Christmas meal, sometimes in hotels, often in John’s flat as cooking was another of his many talents. Unfortunately, the photos I can find from the mountain trips are all just of the scenery so I’ve just put two here of Hong Kong gatherings – one from Christmas in the early 90s with Kenny (another 1987 veteran) and Carol in Stanley and another in John’s Mui Wo flat in 2010, the decoration showing how well he put his own stamp on the places he lived in.

 

John was a thoughtful person and some people found him a bit too serious but he was a stimulating person to talk to on a wide variety of subjects. He also had an impressive range of practical skills and was willing to lend a hand to those of us less blessed in that department.

 

Even before his final illness, he had more than his fair share of ill health, including twenty years suffering from pancreatitis which made it difficult for him to digest oils and stopped him from drinking alcohol. Later, his hip was broken in a motorcycle accident and, although surgery was successful, this meant strenuous hiking was no longer possible.

 

Despite these difficulties he was able to pursue his interests in music, literature and photography, and, of course, to continue as an exceptionally successful English teacher who kept in close touch with former students as well as doing a great job with his current ones. I’ll remember him as a good friend and a true professional.

 

 

John Whelpton

 

 

 

 

My Condolences (Terman)

Life brings tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smile fades, but the memories live on forever. May you rest in peace.

Terman

From Gooner to Hammer,

You came from UK. I was both in HK.

You like hiking. I like hiding.

English teaching is your mission. Chinese copywriting is my only way for making bread.

But we shared the same view. The little garden at Grantham Hospital, where we can see your room, is a beautiful place for chatting, smoking, sunbathing and breathing.

 

You are a Hammer. I am a Gooner.

At the day we met, 6 Oct 2012, you betted Arsenal would defeat West Ham United. I retorted that Arsene Wenger has never won Sam Allardyce.

The result is West Ham 1, Arsenal 3. You lost the game but won me.

 

You are a gentleman. I am a naughty old boy.

You said I am different from the gang. However, I want to join the mates this time. We are all full of sadness.

 

You believe in science. I believe in God.

I hope to say you made mistake, my teacher. Then we can meet again in some day.

 

Again, I am happy to visit you, John.

 

 

Houston Lau

Class 93-94, RC

Message from Ivan Chan

Learning English at Raimondi

Coffee time in your kitchen

Taking photos around Hong Kong Park

Blues jam in your living room

So many memories, thank you so much, John.

Ivan Chan

(Raimondi College)

Message to John (from Sheena and family)

We Miss You, John.

~Edward, Sheena, Josiah, Joseph and Johnathan

 

 

Thank you for being a teacher and friend.

You are our favourite teacher and friend.
When I was young, you went hiking and shopping with me;
you read storybooks and dined out with me;
when I was sad and felt sorrow, you comforted me.
You have inspired me and lightened my life;
you gave me and my family lots of good memories;
you are my great teacher and friend forever.
You are my great teacher forever.

Sheena


Uncle John, thank you for teaching me to play the games on your I-phone.
Thank you for hiking with me in Aberdeen.
Thank you for playing with the toy car on the roof in Aberdeen.I will not pick the leaves from your plants anymore.

 

Uncle John, R.I.P.

 

Josiah

 

 

Miss You Forever (Queenie Yung)

In 1986 was the first time I met you,

You were so cool,

to appear in a girls’ school.

It is hard to explain the way I felt,

The first time I knew a NET teacher.

A friendly face welcomed me,

I was so thrilled that I could not believe.

After the days of secondary school,

You still remember to call me on phone,

I feel happy and never alone.

Without your support,

I couldn’t acquire the OU report.

Thank you for your care,

You are willing to share;

Thank you for your encourage,

Let me fulfilled with courage;

Thank you for your teaching,

I never forget the days with you go hiking.

Though unwilling to let you leave,

Departure gives you relief.

You were gone so quickly,

I didn’t kiss you lastly.

If I only had five minutes,

The morning you passed away,

I had to give you one last hug in a tight way.

Wishing we could stay just awhile longer.

Our beloved teacher, we miss you forever.

Meet you in the heaven.

Goodbye, Mr. Watts.

Queenie Yung (LKL Secondary School)

Message from Julian Quail

My Condoleances to all ...When I last exchanged emails with John in July ,I'm afraid he didn't let on how serious it all was...so, an extra shock...

It was from John , in 1995, that I took over the lease of his Shelley Street flat... I stayed there for many years...

May he rest in peace...

 

Julian Quail

Message from LPM

Mr. Watts,

 

I miss that day we share the cigarette together. I miss the meals we two had together. I miss the oral class we had in 3A. Thank you for comforting me when I called you on the way to Lam Yai Island. Your encouragement are still in somewhere in my heart. I will keep this for the rest of my life.

From LPM

Raimondi College Graduate of 2010

Message from Samson Tong

Dear Mr. Watts,

You were our torch of wisdom and our role model of moral courage.

Thank you very much for your enlightenment and guidance in our lives.

Yours,

 

Samson Tong

 

Raimondi College Form 3A, 1991 (Mr. Watts was the English Teacher);  Form 4B-5B, 1992-94 (Mr. Watts was the Class Teacher)

In memory of John ~ Last trip to Cambodia in April, 2012.

So long, John! I will miss you.


Carmen

Message from the Principal of Raimondi College

Employment History of Mr. John David Watts with Raimondi College.

2.9.1991 - 31.8.1997 Employed under the Permanent Expatriate English Language Teacher(PEELT) Scheme

1.9.2000 - 31.8.2006 Employed under the Native-speaking English Teacher(NET) Scheme

1.9.2006 - 31.8.2007 Served as a part-time English teacher

During his stay with Raimondi College, Mr. Watts taught English, oral and reading to Secondary 1 - 7 students. He served as an advisor for the school's English Debating Society, Press Association, Photography Club and HK Award for Young People. He maintained a friendly relationship with the students and contributed greatly to sustaining a high level of proficiency in English among them. His efforts in bringing the school's English Debating Team to the first runner-up and second runner-up postitions in the 18th and 19th Sing Tao Inter-school English Debate Competition in 2003 and 2004 respectively were highly commendable.

Mr. Watts will long be remembered as a "torch of wisdom" for students, a great teacher for RC and a dear colleague for all those who had worked with him.

May he rest in peace.

G.W. Au

My Friend John Watts

Well John,

 

I’m drinking my first coffee of the day, made, as always, in the JW way. I’m glad you decided to leave the LSE and come to Swansea in 1972; I remember that brilliant sound system with its tape deck and two enormous white speakers. We never resolved whether The Doors or The Grateful Dead epitomised West Coast American music but we certainly knew how to relax to the Floyd and Traffic with an occasional Bach fugue.

 

 

We bonded over music and motorcycles. I think back to those small 50cc machines buzzing around the country lanes of Blaenpenal that tiny hamlet in mid Wales where ‘the caravan’ was perched. It was actually more of a ‘cararoom’ because you’d stripped all the fittings out and replaced them with exotic floor cushions, eastern wall hangings and a sizeable collection of paraffin heaters, which, although effective in the cold Welsh winter, surely defied all the rules of health and safety. How we walked and talked: I remember two conversations in particular, one on the merits of different sheep breeds in their approach to puddle jumping and secondly how the Welsh town of Lampeter was a microcosm of China! As always when you explained it, everything made perfect sense.

 

You walked like the wind and I could never work out how you managed to move with such effortless speed. I’m 6ft 4 and you are a bit shorter, yet it was always me who struggled to keep up. Our last meeting two summers ago was no exception; even though you were still recovering from a motor cycling accident I was always arriving in second place at the coffee houses we visited.

 

It was good to catch up, have a smoke and a talk. Always a good talk. It’s been a privilege to know you, old friend and I will miss you.

 

 

 

Mike James

 

 

Message from Harry

I remember John’s extraordinary generosity. When he saw that I had taken up Chinese painting, he went to great trouble and expense to procure for me the materials – xuan paper, brushes, ink stick and stone – even a chop. This chop cost him much in time and effort. He always brought tobacco for me even though it was more expensive in Hong Kong. When he found himself with a spare kindle he thought of me and sent it.

When John was here I found him thoughtful and imaginative, able to point out aspects of any topic that had not occurred to me. His moral courage was beyond question and his physical courage served him well when the dreadful illness struck.

Well, he has found a safe refuge and peace at the last.

Harry Munn (Partner of Susan Watts)

Message from New Zealand (Kenneth McMorland)

John, enjoy your last long walk into the sunset. We will always look for you on our treks here in the desert.

Love Kenny, Carole and Ian.

Remembering Mr. John Watts

Mr John Watts. Where should I start?

 

I still remember the day when he confiscated the comic book I was reading during an English oral lesson in my Secondary 2 - his first year returning to Raimondi. I was terribly happy when I knew that he would be my English teacher in Secondary 3. Well, I still am, because that was what really started our friendship that lasted for 11 or so years. Too short if you asked me.

 

I remember him playing pop music (including Eminem's Lose Yourself) to train our listening skills, and for some reason I always knew those lyrics by heart and managed to finish the worksheet before he even started playing the song. I remember when we went on a camping trip and almost got killed by Wingjai (he still insists that the compressed gas canister was empty when he threw it in the fire). I remember buying him Galaxy Chocolate milk and Benedict Bittermint from UK. But the most i remember was the chats we had.

 

I remember when I (along with Wingjai) would almost always skip at least half of the following lesson because we'd just leave the classroom and chat with him about pretty much everything. The chats slowly lengthened, and included new timeslots - before school, after school, recess, lunch, supper, evenings, weekends, holidays, and new locations - corridors in schools became cafes, countrysides, and of course, his flats, from Arbuthnot Road, to Lower Albert Road, Aberdeen, Lamma Island, and finally Elgin Street.

 

We talked about how he thought Nikon's DX format and the D2X and the DX lenses were awesome and that you didn't need full frame. A year or so later he bought the D700, a full frame Nikon.

We talked about how his Panasonic LC1 (aka Leica Digilux 2)was an awesome camera and is a Leica but for less money, and we talked how the he'll buy the Leica D-lux 6 (aka Panasonic LX7) because he'll never buy a Panasonic but the Panasonic LX7 really is an awesome camera ("f/1.4!", he said, "and dpreview gives it the silver award!"). Pity he'll never get to play with one.

 

I remember how wonderful it felt when he gave me his approval for my photography and declared that it is time for me to get myself a DSLR (I was using a Nikon Coolpix 5400 at that time). I went and got a D70s (Nikon, no less)

 

I remember he bought a Fujifilm S602Z and an IBM ThinkPad X41 Tablet upon my recommendation, and didn't like either of them too much because they were too slow in real life (sorry!)

 

I remember him insisting his Sony Vaio s-whatever-it-was laptop produced better sounding audio files from CDs.

 

I remember him talking about how his speakers (LS3/5A) were designed by the BBC for monitoring live classical music concert broadcasts in their broadcasting vans (i.e. enclosed environment), and therefore are awesome for the tiny flats in Hong Kong.

 

Speaking of flats, I remember how I love the interior decoration of his flats. I even asked him about what the colours in my room should be, because I really like his taste in these sort of thing.

Those days are now long gone. I look forward to the day when we can have these sort of chats again.

So long, my very dear friend. Thank you very much. It is an absolute honour to be a friend of yours.

 

Cassio
Raimondi College Form 5 Graduate (2004)

Message from Wales (Andy Harrett)

I first met John in 1973 when we were both new students in Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales. He was very much his own person but also very friendly, interesting and full of ideas. He had chosen to live in a caravan in the middle of nowhere outside the town. The caravan had been stripped and furnished in a very individual way by John, something that he seemed to do wherever he lived. Very carefully designed to be comfortable without too much furniture, it was full of Buddhist and Taoist texts and a pair of massive speakers on which to play his music. He was very musical himself, owning a range of instruments that he played frequently. He seemed simultaneously, to my young self, quintessentially English in his manner and exotic and individualist in his tastes and interests. He also had a real talent for friendship with those that interested him.

John later moved into town and lived with me near the harbour in Aberystwyth. In those first years of knowing him we would spend many days together, talking endlessly while walking the coast paths and surrounding hills of the town and sharing books, food, coffee by the gallon and far too many cigarettes. I expect that many of us remember that as far as John was concerned, there was only one way to make coffee! Our geographical reach extended when he bought a motorbike and we would ride together to forgotten valleys and sit together by trees and streams. Always the conversation was good and wide ranging and we laughed a lot. But John was not just a friend for the good times. When life seemed tough and problems got me down, he was a calm and patient presence who always saw the best in me.

As the years went by John travelled widely, working in Africa, Japan, Sweden and Italy and Hong Kong, while I remained in Wales and settled in Cardiff. We always kept in touch and when he returned to Wales and stayed with our mutual friend Mike James, sometimes for long periods and sometimes just for a short break, it was always so easy to pick up with each other.

The two photos are from visits he made to South Wales 18 or 19 years ago and show him with me, my daughter Lizzie and my wife Paula on the beach at Penarth. That reminds me of another gift of John’s – he would talk to children with no condescension and win their respect and affection immediately.

We pass time with many people in life but there are some friendships – very few – through which we grow and which remain with us for ever. Having John as a friend has remained with me through life and he will continue to be an important part of me. I am so grateful to have known him.

Andrew Harrett

In Memory of John (Emily Sze)

John,
Hope you can rest in peace and will always remeber your smile!

Emily SZE (Former Colleague)

UPDATE: Funeral Service for John

Dear all,

According to the wish of John, his body will be cremated and his ashes buried in the South China Sea.

We have arranged with the government to have the cremation held on 11th Novemeber (Sunday) afternoon. John's funeral will be held at Hong Kong Funeral Home 香港殯儀館 (679 Kings Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong) on the evening of the 10th and the morning of the 11th.

The actual time and proceedings of the memorial service will be annouced later.


The Organising Committee

Note and Pictures from Stuart Wilson

Reading all the tributes to John, I have been pleased to see that he was obviously as inspirational a teacher as he was a friend. As I have said elsewhere, I spent some great times over the years with John since we first met in England in 1986: he was a relaxed, droll, funny guy, full of good advice and great company.

We worked together in Sweden and then met up again later in Scotland and Italy and it was always an immense pleasure to see him. We laughed a lot, that's what I mainly remember, as well as his love of music. I was a bit younger than him and far less mature, and he was sometimes forced to take me
aside to point out that something I had done or said (usually after drinking too much) was neither clever nor cool. I always took his comments to heart.

There’s one particular moment that stands out for me: we went out for a hike one day up near Loch Ness, and were heading back down a hillside towards the monastery where I was working. John
was striding briskly ahead of me while I came down carefully. At the bottom of the hill there was a large patch of grassy field, which John sauntered casually across. I came off the hillside with a slight jump on to the grass, and sank to my knees in dense peaty mud. John heard my shout, turned round and regarded me thoughtfully.

“How on earth…?” I started to say. And then we both burst out laughing.

It was, I told him later in the pub, as if his natural grace had carried him over, while lesser men blundered. Don’t be silly, he said, or something similar. But I still believe it to be true.

Message and Photos from Susan Watts

John Watts 1951 - 2012

 

In memory of my brother

And with love.

Susan

Left: John, 1973; Right: Susan and John on Lantau, 1994; Bottom: John in his last Lantau flat

Bye (for now).

Dear Sir,
 
I'm sure you will agree with me that life is far from perfect? Aren't we supposed to meet today to talk about 'things'? Had Mr. Mak not called me after fulfilling your outrageous request on a portion of fish and chips on Wednesday, I would have visited you that evening!

Alas, perhaps it works out better for us this way, saving you from seeing my teary face! I asked myself repeatedly, 'What were you supposed to talk to me about?'

My first thought was that you wanted to give me your classical collection, having seen how my eyeballs were fixated on your discs whenever I was at your place(s)! I would have welcomed that with both arms but it is nothing compared to the priceless knowledge you had embarked on me throughout the past 17 years. For one, you taught me how to write (with no disrespect to my other English teachers). In our post Raimondi encounters, you have enlightened me on subjects as varied as Hooliganism, Hampton Treatment Works, British Politics, European History, Camp Craft, Language, Hi-fi, Persian Carpets, Girls from Belilios Public School, Girls from Sweden and (Stupid) Girls from California at that Canadian Hostel.

My second thought was that you wanted to discuss the specifics about the Big Reunion. I feel honoured that you have picked me to coordinate on the Raimondian end, and do not worry, Sir, the Big Reunion is in good hands. It’s amazing that less than 24 hours after you left us, this site has cramped up 2,500+ views. I’m sure that you will have a lot of company when the day comes!

Sir, from all the comments on Facebook and here, it is evident that you have changed the lives for the better of so many, including mine. Your departure may have been agonisingly premature, but your legacy has lived on – through the thousands of students who will eternally be grateful for the marks you left on their lives.

Bye (for now).

 

Tommy Chiu (96 – S4A, 97 – S5A)


Photo taken at the former Governor's House during the AYP Gold Award Ceremony for Edwin, Edward and Chu in 2000

From left: Edwin Jeu, Mr. Mak, Mr. Watts, Tommy Chiu, Edward Mo,  Law Kwok Chu

Note and Pictures from Gary Ma

Our Dearest Teacher Mr Watts,

You are our anchor to keep us growing without fear of waves. You are our torch to show us the way of bright. You are our great teacher forever, we learned how to be delighted with music and photography from you. We would like to attend your lesson, to listen your story, to share our lives, etc. We love you and we will meet and listen your music performance in paradise eventually. Rest in Peace.

Best wishes,
Gary MA

Photos taken in 1996 (Form 7)

  

 

Samson, Herbert and Ivan with John (2011 Winter)

Photo submitted from Samson Tong  (Raimondi College Class 1996)

From left: Samson, John, Herbert and Ivan

26 October 2012

John passed away peacfully at Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Cancer Rehab Centre in Wong Chuk Hang this morning at 3:00 am.

You are welcome to leave your tribute to John (or to most of us Mr. Watts) on this site.

Should you wish to share some old photos with John on this site, please send an email with the photos and your message that you wish to appear on this site to wattsjohndavid@gmail.com and one of the administrators will help you post them on the site.