Dear family, friends, and fellow Rotarians of Past President Ip Pui Fai,
Tonight, we gather here in tribute to our Past President Ip Pui Fai. It is an honour for me to share my memories of the PP Ip.
PP Ip, affectionately known as Ippy, joined Rotary in 1983. He served as the club president in the Rotary years of the Rotaract Club of Macau, PP Ip had already been of the Rotaract Club of Mazo. When I became a member of our club advisor for many years. He consistently attended our regular meetings and board meetings, demonstrating a level of dedication that surpassed even our own. Sometimes, he would offer guidance on upholding the values of Rotary, but more often, he would silently observe, allowing us the freedom to find our own path. Over more than two decades, he served as our Rotaract advisor, acting as a father figure to many of us. I vividly recall an incident during my tenure as Rotaract president in 2008/2009.
We found ourselves embroiled in a dispute with another club, which escalated to the district level. As young individuals, we were unsure of how to handle the situation. It was then that PP Ip assured us, saying,
“Don’t worry. If things further escalate, I would tell the district that I would resign from Rotary.” Although the issue did not escalate further, and PP Ip did not resign, his words provided us with a sense of support and security, akin to that of a child being protected by their father. PP Ip, thank you for being our guiding force in Rotaract always.
After I transitioned into Rotary, I had the opportunity to know PP Ip on a deeper level. He possessed a sharp wit, which he often showcased during our club meetings.
IP Pui Fai
Among his many jokes, there was one that left a lasting impression on me. He once asked me, “Elvo, are you psycho the rapist?” Momentarily taken aback, I replied, “Yes, I am a psychotherapist!” His jokes never failed to lighten the atmosphere and bring smiles to our faces. PP Ip’s wit extended beyond humour; it also manifested in his approach to handling various situations. Remember his statement about resigning from Rotary if issues within our Rotaract club escalated? He later confided in me that even if he did resign, he could rejoin our club, after attending three activities.
Perhaps PP Ip’s wit was so remarkable that even the universe played its jokes on him. During his first presidency in 2002/2003, we faced the challenge of the SARS outbreak, which resulted in the cancellation of our Rotary annual charity ball. When he served the presidency again in 2019/2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, once again preventing the realization of our Rotary annual charity ball. Thus, he became known as the president without balls and was forbidden from serving as president again.
While the notion of a president without balls provided us with a lighthearted joke, we deeply appreciate PP Ip’s unwavering commitment to Rotary. When he took on the role of club president again in 2019/2020, he was already over 70 years old. At that stage in life, he could have chosen to relax and take it easy, but he opted for the less-travelled path of serving Rotary to the best of his abilities.PP Ip embodied the spirit of a Rotarian of Action. A photograph depicting him carrying a box of sanitary napkins to be donated to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic encapsulates his dedication to serving the community. This image received the prestigious People of Action award from the district and will forever be engraved in our hearts.
I am grateful to have worked alongside such a committed fellow Rotarian. During my tenure as Rotary president, our club made the collective decision to conclude our service project in Guangxi, where we had built seven primary schools in the mountainous areas and two main buildings for a secondary school in the city of Du’an over 20 years. Despite the tiring 10-hour bus journey, PP Ip joined us on the Charity Trip to Guangxi for the last time. I am immensely grateful that my children Edison and Elanna had accompanied us on the trip. They had the opportunity to spend quality time with PP Ip, who became like a grandfather figure to them. The memories we created together will forever hold a special place in our family’s hearts.
PP Ip was also a devout Christian, and I am certain that he now rests in eternal peace. I imagine him reunited with our jolly good fellow, PP Choi, observing us from heaven as we sing the following song together:
“For he’s a jolly good fellow! For he’s a jolly good fellow!
For he’s a jolly good fellow!
And so say all of us. And so say all of us. And so say all of us.
For he’s a jolly good fellow! For he’s a jolly good fellow!
For he’s a jolly good fellow! And so say all of us.”
PP Ip dedicated over 40 years of his life to Rotary, becoming a role model for younger generations.
Because of him, our Rotaract club thrived. Because of him, Rotaractors turned into Rotarians. Because of him, the world is a better place.
Past President Ip Pui Fai
PP Ip, it has been an absolute privilege to have served with you, to have learned from you, and to have been led by you. You are our forever Rotaract advisor and Sergeant-at-Arms.
Sincerely,
PP Elvo Sou
