Lionel's Tribute

It gives me immense pleasure to be standing before you here today. 

A day that marks my 80th journey around the sun. 

 

I am blessed to be standing here, surrounded by all of you.

My family, my friends, and my loved ones. 

All of you made this journey, not just possible, but incredibly worthwhile.

 

I am celebrating my 80th birthday, and I am celebrating the journey that brought me here. 

 

As I look around this room, I see a sea of faces that have been a part of my journey.

A journey that has been marked by determination, resilience, tenacity, and success. 

 

I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and reflection. 

 

Turning 80 is a personal milestone. It is also a testament to a life I would like to believe was with purpose, with honesty, and above all, with integrity.

 

I am man who has had the privilege of a rich career, filled with incredible experiences, I worked with distinguished companies, and most importantly, I was and continue to be surrounded by extraordinary people.

 

It is the people in my life that truly makes it rich and meaningful.

 

As I reflect on the eight decades of my life, what resonates the most, is the abundance of love, laughter, and learning, I've experienced. 

 

Age is not merely a number, but a testament to the trials, triumphs, and stories accumulated over time. 

I would like to believe that it is not the number of years that matter, but the life within those years that matter.

 

I have been fortunate enough to see the world change and evolve in ways I could not have imagined. 

 

I've seen a man walk on the moon, computers shrink from room-sized machines to pocket-sized devices, and the world and people come together in ways that were once considered impossible.

 

I have witnessed the changes in technology and how modern technology boosts productivity and efficiency of human activity. 

 

I also see demographic shifts and continuation of growth in global populations, socio-economic changes, extraordinary progress in health and medicines, new landscapes of governance and politics and even space exploration getting underway.

I am witnessing climate changes and how we as humans are facing environmental challenges.

I am also privileged to witness the greater equality not just for woman but for all gender, race and religion.

 

Despite the chaos the world is currently in, I continue to see hope, promise and endless possibilities. 

 

I am a man who has dedicated a significant part of my life to the pursuit of business, to the creation of value, and to be at service to our community.

 

Business, as we all know, is not just about transactions. It's about relationships. It's about creating something valuable, something that can change lives, something that can create opportunities. And that's what I always aimed for. 

 

I look around this room and I see partners who trusted me, employees who stood by me, and family who supported me. Each one of you has played an instrumental role in shaping not just my business, but also my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

 

I've always believed that success in business is not just about financial gain, but about the impact we create. 

And today, as I reflect on my journey, I am proud of the value we've created, the jobs we've provided, and the difference we've made in our community. 

 

I am struck by how my professional journey has woven into the tapestry of my life, leaving an indelible mark on who I am today. 

I've had the opportunity to be a part of remarkable organizations, each unique, each contributing to the evolution of my skills, my vision, and my understanding of the world.

 

But it is the people, my dear friends, who have truly coloured my journey. 

 

Colleagues who became friends, mentors who became guides, teams that became like family - each one of you has enriched my life in more ways than I can express.

 

I have learned from the brightest minds, collaborated with the most diligent teams, and been inspired by leaders who have not only shaped industries but also touched lives. I have been part of projects that transformed ideas into realities, and innovations that pushed the boundaries of what we thought impossible.

 

If there's one thing I've always strived to embed into every chapter of my life, it's the importance of honesty and integrity.

 

Honesty and integrity have been my guiding principles, in business, in relationships, and in my journey through life. They are not just virtues, they are the cornerstones upon which trust is built, and trust, as we all know, is the foundation of any lasting relationship.

 

I've always believed that success without integrity is failure. 

In business, I've found that being honest, being transparent, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching, is not just the ethical way but also the most rewarding way to operate.

 

In my personal life, these principles have helped me forge bonds of trust and respect with my family, my friends, and all those I have had the pleasure to cross paths with. You have been my partners in this journey, and your presence and support have enriched my life beyond measure.

 

To my dear friends, thank you for your unwavering support, for the shared laughter, tears and moments that define our friendship. Your companionship has been one of the greatest gifts in my life.

 

To my sons, Lincoln and Allan. You are my heart and you have been my encouragement and my motivation throughout the journey. I am eternally grateful to you for your support, understanding and your love.

 

To my wife, a person who has not just been a part of my journey, but who has been my partner in every sense of the word.

You celebrated my victories and helped me navigate my failures. At times you have been my sounding board, my voice of reason, my friend, and my love. Your strength has fortified me, your wisdom has guided me, and your love has enriched me. We've weathered storms, celebrated successes, and through it all, we've grown - together. 

 

At this moment, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Shirnae and her excellent team for making this magical event possible. 

 

I am in awe. 

With all the events that Shirnae ever created from the inception of our wedding celebration and all the others over the years, I never imagined that she would be able to top any of those, and here she did it again.

 

I had no input whatsoever and I am spellbound by what you, Shirnae have created. 

Thank you for my birthday gift which is this the celebration. 

I am blown away and I am deeply appreciative of all you do.

 

Thank you, May-Ling. You have been and continue to be a wonderful addition to our lives. It has been a decade to the day.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

And in closing:

At the age of 80, I am reminded of a quote by George Bernard Shaw, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." So, I urge each and every one of you, regardless of your age, to keep playing. Keep exploring, keep learning, keep loving, and most importantly, keep living.

 

Above all, let's toast to the journey ahead, I am ready and waiting for the next chapter.