John Weinthal.
UP-DATE 14-1-2015: Ever ready to have the last word, John wrote this a few years back, ready to be sent at the appropriate time.Well, whether the time was appropriate or not, yesterday in hospital John struggled to breathe for the last time. He had a peaceful and quiet end, not alone(Received as email today from John !)
This is what he wrote:
"Hello. I died today.A good, mainly fun life - travel and some adventures.I loved life in the UK for 18 years and in Malaysia since 2004.My timing was almost always right from birth, through missing wars, entering journalism and writing, and living a life of cars and the auto industry.My declining years from age 71 have not been as much fun.My greatest privilege was knowing so many wonderful achieving friends of all kinds. I loved all of you."
This note was, most surprising, handwritten. You will all know John did not handwrite. His typewriter initially, and then keyboard, were his communicating tools before he discovered Skype.
I am still coming to terms with the really sad news of the passing of my dear friend, JW !
I first met John Weinthal and his best friend Tengku Alang in 2001 or thereabouts at the NPC. A member of the NPC Malaysia, John was a seasoned scribe who had worked with a great many papers and magazines from dreary old England to Down-under.
John can be a really chatty fellow too if the occasion permits.His heavy Aussie slang made me a little uncomfortable in the beginning and at times and I had to force myself to laugh at his jokes. But as time went by and the knocking of chilled ambers got more frequent I got to understand him a lot better. But the man JW was a very private person never telling anyone if he was hurting inside or in need for a smoke.
One can never have a better companion then Tengku Alang. It was Alang who actually broke the shocking news to me. Alang told me John took his last breath before he went over to the other side with his wife standing by his bedside.....peacefully !
Like Alang, I too will miss you old chap ! Fare thee well and rest in peace John ! I shall raise my whiskey glass high in your honour, brother ! Cheers !
Dear John left us at 1.30pm. on Tuesday the 13th. January 2015.
