He served the Church and the needy

It is my sad privilege to write a tribute to my brother-in-law Arulanantham George Horsington who passed away at the age of 76, on August 4 this year at Bandarawela.

George, as he was popularly known, was born in 1937 to Cephas and Nellie Ebenezer Arulanantham, as the sixth of their seven children -- three boys and four girls.

Two brothers and three sisters predeceased him leaving the seventh, my wife Christine, as the sole survivor.

George had his education at Matale and Kandy and entered the estate service as a clerk, like his father, and worked on several estates including Kirimittia Estate, Meniddiwela, Nayapane Estate, Pussellawa and Harangalla Estate. He was promoted to the post of assistant manager at the J.E.D.B. Regional Office in Nuwara Eliya.

Upon privatisation of estates in 1992, he retired from service, and settled down in Bandarawela town where he lived until his death.

In his retirement, he was fully engaged in God’s work attending and conducting prayer meetings at the homes of the sick and needy. He was a live wire at Bandarawela’s Church of the Ascension where he held positions -- as Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor for a number of years. He was also a member of the Gideons.

He had five children, all boys -- Paul, Tim, Joe, Silas and Benjo -- and they all chose their own careers.

A couple of days before his death, he travelled back to Bandarawela from Colombo where he and his wife Hepzy were looking after their grandchild Kayshia who is just one year old as both Benjo and his wife Princy were employed.

George will be sadly missed by his wife Hepzy who has been his devoted and inseparable partner for 49 years, his children and daughters-in-law Priyanka, Chandrika, Doris and Princy and his grandchildren particularly Kayshia with whom George and Hepzy spent the past six months.

The funeral service was attended by a large gathering and conducted by a number of priests headed by the Bishop of Colombo which was an honour in recognition of his long and loyal services to the Church. Around 35 children, including his many grandchildren, sang a special hymn.

Well dear George, as stated in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 7 you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race and have kept the faith.

We are sure Lord Jesus has taken you into his safe arms to perform several duties in His Kingdom, as you did in this world.

David Williams