HENRY Kila,
He was 58.
Mr Kila died at about two o’clock yesterday morning from an acute heart attack brought on by clogged arteries and diabetic condition at the Port Moresby Private Specialist Medical Centre, his son Guy said.
He is survived by wife Sandy Masau and sons Guy and Emmanuel, in-laws Janet and Trinnett, grand children Lawrence, Cassandra and Solomon, his mother Avia, brother Jack and sister Joan, Ruth and his in-laws and their children.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare expressed deep sadness after learning of the passing of Mr Kila.
“Mr Kila’s passing is a great loss to the business community and the sporting fraternity of PNG. PNG has lost a good man of very humble demeanor,” Sir Michael said.
“I have found Mr Kila to be a very constructive partner in developing a healthy relationship between the private sector and the National Government,” he said and acknowledged Mr Kila’s contribution in promoting the Australia/PNG relations.
Close friend and deputy opposition leader Bart Philemon described him as a trail-blazer into insurance industry for 40 years, a major player in sporting development, and a key stakeholder in business development helping to nurture the business council from infant stages to its current dominant present.
“We have lost a true nationalist, an un-hailed statesman and definitely an outstanding Papua New Guinean unparalleled in private sector involvement.”
A member of the APEC Advisory Council representing PNG, he was a founding member (since 1995) and president from 2006 of Business Council of PNG, Managing Director of South Pacific Insurance Advisors Ltd; was president of PNG Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee (2000-2003) which caps an illustrious involvement in sports in diverse codes as PNG Softball, PNG Football League and PNG Rugby Union including a stint as a commissioner with PNG Sports Commission around September 2003.
HK was a great man, humble, good humored, great personality and a noble exemplary Papua New Guinean. Bamahuta Turagu Lalokau. May you rest in eternal peace and bliss.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteLike 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