Uncle Lee Hah Ing, his wife (Deng Giou Hua) and Pink Gin (Lee Ping Jin), their daughter were regular guests for lunch with Ah Kong and they were always included at family celebratory dinners.
Uncle Hah Ing, was born in China in 1914 and moved with his parents to Malaysia when he was around 6 years of age, he graduated from Raffles College in Singapore in 1934 and returned to Malaysia to teach at ACS Teluk Anson, ACS Ipoh and the Methodist Boys’ School in Kuala Lumpur before moving 1952 to Singapore to teach at Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Singapore, where he rose up the ranks to become the Principal of ACS from 1961 to 1969, although must I confess that I can’t remember if he was principle at ACS Coleman Street or Barker Road,.
His impressive and dedicated service to ACS and hard work helping to successfully raise funds for the school, from parents and the leaders of Singapore’s business community (he used to jokingly refer to himself as a professional beggar) greatly impressed Ah Kong, so much so that upon his retirement from teaching, Kong arranged for him to be employed by OCBC and then sent him to the USA for training, he remained working at the bank well into his late 60s. Uncle hah Ing once commented that he was very surprised that Kong thought it was worth investing in and sending him, a retired old man for training overseas. After retiring from the bank, he continued his involvement and friendship with Kong through the 1990s serving as advisor to the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, and a regular feature at lunch, until his retirement in 2006, at the ripe old age 92
Uncle Hah Ing was always happy, friendly, and his rheumy eyes seemed to watch and take in all the on goings during lunch with a grandfatherly and knowing smile, when approached he was happy to engage in quite lively conversation and willing to share his opinion as well as his many life experiences and observations.
Aunty (Mrs. Hah Ing) was always smartly dressed in a cheongsam, and although rather reserved, who similarly tended to observe, and say little, this did however hide the fact that she had been quite an adventurous and successful businesswoman in her time, in support of her teacher husband, this unassuming powerhouse of a lady decided to set up a children’s clothing business, to help augment the family’s income, to sell school uniforms and children’s clothing, and with no formal training set off set up a shop below their home and then headed off on business trips by sea to Hong Kong, on her own, which was very courageous of her especially in those days, to buy items to sell. She had a calm assured presence, however one felt that when at home and not in her cheongsam, she probably wore the pants in the family. She would participate in polite conversation when addressed, but for the most part like Uncle Hah Ing seemed quite content to quietly listen and observe.
Lee Ping Jin, their daughter, was a very friendly outgoing and warm lady, closer to mother’s age than mine with whom one could always count on for an enjoyable conversation. She would always be very entertaining, helping to keep the conversation flowing and the mood at the table, light and friendly and could always make Ah Kong laugh. We the Campbell’s used to playfully call her “Pink Gin” and I remember on one occasion I actually offered to make her one to drink, but she laughed good naturedly and declined.
What led me to believe that her mother, Aunty (Mrs. Hah Ing) more often than not had the final say at home was when Ping Jin related how she had asked her mother for advice when she considering starting to work selling Insurance, that she had been told that, it was not a good idea to do business with friends, that people especially the superstitions ones would like run away and try to avoid her, and that friends were hard to make and keep. In her own words, “mother poured water on that idea” so I starred helping out a friend to show properties, which gave me plenty of time to look after my own family and my parents.
They were a delightful family and it was clear that they cared for and valued Ah Kong’s friendship just as much as Ah Kong cared for and valued theirs.