INTERVIEWS / ALUMNI | LUMEN
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He had a hearty laughter and was simple in his ways . A prayerful and saintly man , he set an example for the young Brothers to be punctual for our morning and evening prayers . Besides attending our daily Masses , he also encouraged us to grow in our relationship with the Lord by spending time in front of the Blessed Sacrament .
Bro Dominic loved to play tennis and whenever possible he did so in the afternoons with staff and alumni at the St Patrick ’ s School tennis courts . I remember on one occasion where he pulled a back muscle . Although he was in agonising pain and lying on the floor of the tennis court , he was cracking some silly jokes just to relieve the anxiety of those around him . He was hospitalised for a week for his backache and had to rest in the house for a month .
Brother was also close to his family , especially his brothers and took the opportunity to meet up with them regularly . His brothers also joined him on the tennis court whenever they were free .
As the Auxiliary Visitor of Singapore , he was instrumental in advising me to further my studies . I completed my A-level exam as an adult candidate and entered the College of Physical Education to be trained as a teacher . He then arranged for me to go to the Philippines to continue my spiritual formation .
Though I left the Brothers in 1990 , I am always thankful to him for encouraging me to further my education and vocation as a teacher .
Bro Dominic , continue to pray for us who are teachers to have a heart for the children in our care . Live Jesus in our hearts . Forever .
Bro . Dominic Chong Soon Cheong of the De La Salle Brothers passed away on 29 July 2020 . He was 81 and had been a Brother for 60 years .
Bro . Dominic took his perpetual vows in Singapore , on 3 December 1964 . Thereafter , he served his community in several roles and countries such as Malaysia , the Philippines and Australia .
In Singapore , he was a teacher at St Joseph ’ s Institution ( SJI ) from 1967 to 1993 . He served as Community Director in 1974 , and from 1980 to 1985 . From 1982 to 1988 he was also the Auxiliary Visitor of Singapore for the Lasallian Brothers . He retired in the St Joseph ’ s Institution community in Singapore from 1996 to 2015 , and later transferred to the Residencia De La Salle , in Dasmariñas , Philippines , where he passed away this year .
This page ( top left ): A 1989 photo of Bro Dominic with Bro . Michael Broughton and Brother Edward Seah picking rambutans in Thailand
This page ( centre right ): Lasalle Singapore meets Lasalle Thailand
This page ( centre ): Bro . Dominic in a photo with Thailand La Salle Sisters , Sr . Mary Sunanta and Sr . Mary Laied . The picture was taken at the fruit orchard belonging to the family of one of the Thai De La Salle Brothers , Br . Luke Chayaporn
This page ( bottom left ): Bro Dominic , with his fellow Lasalle fraternity at Malcolm Road
Bro Dominic , continue to pray for us who are teachers to have a heart for the children in our care . Live Jesus in our hearts . Forever .