Heart and Soul of Leylands, Christopher Yee Dies
Leylands Pte Limited General Manager Christopher Yee died yesterday. Mr Yee died after a short illness in Suva. Mr Yee spent more than 41 years playing a key role in the butchery business.
He was also prominent in sport, rising to the highest levels and giving his time to voluntary administration and officiating.
He grew up in Howell Road where his family had a shop.
Mr Yee was educated at Yat Sen Primary School and at Marist Brothers High School.
He was a cheerful, pleasant, a quiet achiever, humble and always willing to assist.
He always remembered his humble beginnings and everyone who helped him along the way.
He was also a former Bank Officer with Bank of New Zealand from December 1972 to January 1980.
He is survived by four sisters and one brother.
Chinese Association of Fiji
Chinese Association of Fiji President Jenny Seeto said: “He was always very supportive of the School, the Chinese Youth group and the Community at large.
“Although over the years, he was better known for his contribution to sports administration, he did devote time to helping the School and Community.
“He worked hard behind the scenes whenever he was given any task to perform and assisted with activities for the School and Community.
Mr Yee was a Justice of Peace and never hesitated to help people from all walks of life who approached him.
“Lami Police used him to witness signatures for court documents.
“He would spend his own time to accompany people to see authorities to get results he thought was fair. He was a determined person.
“Chinese people who did not understand English well approached him to help on immigration and translation matters, financial matters such as resolving matters with the banks.
“He also helped in domestic matters
and resolving family disputes.
“He never said no to anyone who approached him for help. He was
always generous with his time.
“On a personal side, I knew Chris from our teenage years when together with my late husband Dixon Seeto, we were heavily involved in the activities of the Chinese Youth Social and Cultural Association. We would arrange activities together whether it be mountain climbing, trips to the West, social and cultural events and would lead our youth group to visit the elderly, particularly Father Law Home.
“Chris had a sunny disposition and always put people at ease. He was good at cracking jokes with the elderly especially when they gave him a hard time.”
Mrs Seeto said Chris would be dearly missed.
“On behalf of the Chinese Community I extend our sincere condolences to his family.”
Leylands Pte Limited
A post on the Leylands Facebook page said: “The team at Leylands are deeply saddened by the passing of our General Manager Mr Christopher Yee who passed away this morning 7th July 2021.
“Chris was very much the heart and soul of Leylands serving the CompAny sElflEssly For ovEr 41 yEArs.
“We all wish his family our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.”
Leylands is one of the few combined farmers, processors, manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of meat and small goods based in Fiji.
Sport
Mr Yee was an active volunteer in developing some sports in the country. He was the chef de mission for team Fiji to several games.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) chief executive Lorraine Mar said: “He was like an old guard because of his long experience in sport.
“He was someone the sporting community will miss because he was always someone you can rely on for advise and help whenever you needed it.”
He was also the former FASANOC vice-president in 2007.
In 2014, he received the Fiji Olympic Order for his long time Voluntary administration in Sports.
He was actively involved in Table Tennis, Squash Fiji, Amateur boxing and Weightlifting Fiji where he later was a life-member.
It is understood that funeral arrangements were still being finalised.