As we think of Lou today we are naturally shocked by the suddenness of his death and feel a deep and genuine loss.

I first came across Lou when he captained the Wesley College cricket team in 1956. That was a remarkable year for Lou, his team and the school. We were unbeaten, Lou scored four brilliant centuries, took many wickets as a demon fast bowler and lead the side in great style and glory. His photo appeared in the back pages of the popular newspapers week after week and became a household name in Ceylon. His fame that year grew immensely and reflected on the school and its many students. Lou played soccer and hockey with equal panache. He was a fine athlete. Despite his many achievements at Wesley he kept his feet firmly on the ground and his modesty and wisdom shone through.

Lou wrote in one of his emails: ........... .In fact, I applied to join the Police as a Sub-inspector and was selected to commence training in 1957!!! My parents insisted that I should study - I HAD THE GUTS AND CHEEK to tell them THEN SEND ME TO THE UK !!!

Lou left school end of 1957 to complete his education at a British Public School called Millfield. The School offered him a £300/annum scholarship. It is a school famous for its sports. Ian Botham played and studied there. Lou made best use of its facilities and excelled both in sports and studies. He got the grades to complete his University education at Cambridge where he read Chemistry and proceeded to a Doctorate in Philosophy. He became the first Ceylonese Hockey Blue at Cambridge.

I came across Lou for the second time when he joined the staff of Wesley College briefly in 1960/61 teaching us chemistry in the 6th form. He was a dedicated teacher and was a great asset to the school. Despite his mild manner he was a strong character and a fine leader. Teaching was then a temporary arrangement and he left the country to work and live in Switzerland.

Lou returned to Wesley College again in 1985 as its Principal whence he remained until 1988. Sadly a small band of rebel old boys prevented him from doing his duty for the school he loved so dearly. Lou regretted this as much as we did. I wish the Methodist Church gave him more support during those troubled times.

He returned to Switzerland with his family but remained close to Wesley and its many supporters. Whenever funds were needed you could count on Lou who contributed most generously. He funded and started many charities for the poor students in Sri Lanka. Lou was modest to a fault and on many occasions remained a generous anonymous donor. To my knowledge he has never walked away from helping students and old boys.

I came across Lou for the last and final spell in the 1990’s when he contributed articles for the Double Blue International website of which I am the editor. He wrote about his memories of school cricket in the fifties and also sent me a moving appreciation of his beloved brother, Vincent, who predeceased him. He seemed to search out and gather up Old Wesleyites everywhere, or people who had a connection with Wesley.

 Lou had a knack of gaining the confidence of all sides in a dispute without pointing a finger. He was often the epitome of calm and patience.

Lou was a kind and patient man, always willing to give his time to others, and wore his scholarship lightly. As a skilled and successful person in the fiercely competitive pharmaceutical industry, he had the remarkable ability to leave everyone he came into contact with feeling that they were important to him. This fine quality remained with him to the very end. This made talking to him an exceedingly rewarding experience.

In any life there are difficulties and Lou was not immune to this. Poor health was a concern more recently. The last email I received six weeks before his demise he spoke of his failing health as a part of growing old which he accepted gracefully. His deep faith in his religion never wavered and Lou remained a committed Christian all his adult life.

Lou was a good man who enriched our lives beyond measure. He achieved much in his life. To his family he gave his love and guidance always. To his school he gave his support throughout his life. He will always be remembered as a respected and much valued friend and a True Blue Wesleyite.

We miss him and give God thanks we knew him.