Appreciations - Hillary Marcelline (11 April 1999)

11 April 1999

Appreciations - Hillary Marcelline

The Daily News

I write not as a relative but as a friend of Hillary Marcelline for that is what he was to all of us. We extend our condolences to all of his Josephian clan which prompts this remembrance.

His accomplishments as a former cricket captain, treasurer of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and goodwill ambassador at large are all too well known. To him went the honour of being immensely instrumental in bringing an internationally victorious Sri Lankan cricket team to play an exhibition game in Los Angeles. Like so much else he did in life, this collective effort provided a unifying experience of all.

Indeed, the guns and glory of cricket flowed in his veins and on to his offspring in such good quarts that his eldest son captured the coveted trophy of England's Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.

What made Hilary himself, however, was his trademark handshake coupled with a small dose of deprecatory humour and a laugh that distilled away any and all surface pretence of self-importance and instead, left in place a lasting residue of good-naturedness. This was vintage Josephianism and more.

Without a hint of unease, Hillary sagued the role of centre stage performer, joker, banterer, sideline heckler and barroom standup as part of an undifferentiated persona, thus qualifying him to more than connect but indeed, identify with one and all, caste and outcast alike.

The measurer of a man we take in many ways and not the least of which is one's capacity to walk unpretentiously, as he did, the common walk. To wit, this was so emblematic of what we so often and so vaguely called the Josephian spirit. Hillary gave it definition, making scores of friend simply on contact.

His is a story that needs retelling so long as it is yet possible to inform and inspire our college pulse and reclaim for another generation our common cultural heritage.

Even as we mourn his passing away with nostalgic memories we remain unsure whether from horizons afar and over the hills, echoes of his distant laughter is heard at those lachrymose requiems custom summons us to observe.

Adieu good friend and thanks for the memories
Old Josephian Branch
California

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)