Friday, January 08, 2010

Moving farewell for Henry Kila

Henry Kila's coffin is carried out of church. All pictures by EKAR KEAPU of The National

Mr Kila's family

Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu

Last respects from Sir Puka

Bart Philemon bids farewell to a good mate

PNG Sports Federation general secretary Sir John Dawanincura

Representatives from the Papua New Guinea business community and sports fraternity turned out in numbers to show respect to PNG's first internationally-qualified insurer and sports personality Henry Raisi Kila, The National reports.

Late Mr Kila's distinguished services to sports and business in the country, particularly his efforts in strengthening business relations between Australia and PNG were highly acknowledged during the funeral service in Port Moresby's Sioni Kami Memorial Church at Gordon.

His close firend and deputy opposition leader Bart Philemon described Mr Kila as "larger than life in PNG; a pioneer come trailblazer; a truly bigman in PNG society yet a very humble down-to-earth person; firm believer of honesty, integrity; and indeed a unique Papua New Guinean".

Mr Kila succumbed to an acute heart attack brought on by clogged arteries and diabetic condition at about 2am on Monday at the Port Moresby Private Specialist Medical Centre.

He was 58.

He will be buried at his Arure village tomorrow after the trip home today to Delena and Yule Island in Kairuku, Central province.

1 comment:

  1. Reginald Renagi3:11 PM

    I am very sad about the untimely death of a popular Papuan son and a true nationalist: Mr. Henry Kila recently. I first heard of Henry Kila's passing on the EM TV 6pm news bulletin after that fateful weekend. I told my family in the living room to watch the news (as half of my family are also from Yule Island and related to our late brother) as news of his death was being announced.

    Like many Papua New Guineans, I have come to know Henry Kila for over 20 years. It is a sad and great loss for our business community and the government as well as to his Kairuku and Central people; including the whole country.

    Henry was a great person and a friend to many people and had a great sence of humour and goodwill towards others. He liked to be around people of any background and was very helpful in many ways. I can recall his clever wit and good humour during Carbine Club luncheons and in many other social gatherings with family, friends and professional associates over the years. Thank you HK for the good memories.

    Yes, HK will be dearly missed by all who came into contact with him; either in their professional and personal capacities. I join with fellow PNGeans, his Delena and Yule Island village family and relatives; including his New Ireland family and 'tambus' to pay tribute to this great Papuan son, and Papua New Guinean who did a lot for the development of business, sport, his province and our country.

    May our dear brother and good friend Henry Kila rest in eternal peace with the creator of our universe; our Lord God.

    Farewell, bamahuta, haparua to you, brother HK. May God richly bless you in his mansion.

    Reginald Renagi

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