13 years ago on 24th June 2007, Thaddeus went home to be with our Lord. Today on 24th Jun 2020, which is also the Feast Day of St John the Baptist, we continue to celebrate Thad’s life. The columbarium at the Church of St Francis Xavier, was closed for renovation since June 2019 and only opened earlier this year, albeit for a short period. We managed to see Thad on his 30th birthday on 24th Mar 2020.
After Singapore was elevated to DORSCON orange due to the coronavirus pandemic, the columbarium was shut again and we have not been able to visit Thad’s niche since. With the imposition of the circuit breaker ruling by the government on 7th April where no social gatherings were allowed, we knew Thad’s 13th memorial run could not be held at RI Stadium like in all previous twelve years. So in early May, we informed our relatives and friends of the cancellation but to do the run on their own on Sunday 21st June.
We are heartened that many came back to us with much support and prayers. It was raining throughout the morning of 21st June and when it finally stopped in the early afternoon, our family did our run and walk around our estate. This year, we were glad to have Thomas and Kim with us. They returned from the UK on 24th March, which was Thad’s birthday and will be here till the pandemic situation eases in the UK. Jacky also walked with us, together with Kieran, our dog.
Despite not being able to meet for Thad’s run this year, many relatives and friends did their own runs and walks in memory of Thad, dressed in pink. We even had first-timers, who had never been to our runs, participate on their own. We feel so touched and we really appreciate that Thad is so well loved.
Here are some photos that were sent to us!
First timers – the Giam Family running around the Punggol Park Connector.
Deyna and Margaret ran in the park in front of their block.
Alice walked in a park at Simei Estate.
Francis walked around his home’s pathways at Braddell view in memory of Thaddeus.
Serene did mindful walking in pink gear, to buy pink ice cream AND remembering Thaddeus.
Felicia completed a 5.5km walk by a canal with nature reserves surrounding her.
Kenny did his walk in pink.
Jemini did her walk in a very special way.
Sheila completed her run around her estate near Sixth Avenue.
Audrey and Tiffany did their runs around Punggol Park Connectors and Mt Faber respectively.
Robert and Charlie posted this on FB – started the day with an early morning walk in memory of our dear Thaddeus. 13 years have passed in a blink of an eye but you will always be remembered by Uncle Charlie and Uncle Rob.
Henry was at the Punggol Settlement Jetty running in blessed memory of Thad.
Monica did her walk at Bishan Park. She approached a stranger to help her take this photo and she found that Sally Ong has 2 sons, Mark and Michael, and Mark was Thad’s classmate when they were in Primary School.
Mary walked around her estate all dressed in pink for Thad.
Reggie, Matthew and Theodore and Anna too, walked around Teacher’s Estate in memory of Thad.
Serene was at East Coast. Her post – Run in Memory of Thad. May we always be inspired by his passion for life.
May Sing walking in her garden, in pink.
Teck Koon in his newly purchased camo pink T-shirt from Amazon along East Coast Park. He completed 13km to remember Thad.
Eugene and Chiat thinking of Thad, as they walk in their estate.
Maria and hubby finished a 5.5km walk for Thad. Maria also said a rosary for him.
Chung Hwa walked over 5km along East Coast Park.
Jacqueline sent us her photo – To Thad with Love.
Betty, Felipe and Abi remembered Thad at the Botanic Gardens.
Paul and Jennet attended an online mass with Fr John Bosco dressed in pink.
Grandma was the best. Last year, she was pushed in a wheelchair. This year, she told Thad that she would push the wheelchair…she kept her promise.
Jansen ran for Thad in pink.
Solomon and Faith did their run in pink!
Michael ran 10km, twice the distance. 5km for Thaddeus and 5km for all fathers.
Poh Kiang and Joan drove to Punggol to run to Coney Island for Thaddeus. BIG FANS of Thaddeus!
In our Facebook post of Thad’s immemorium ad which we placed in the Straits Times on 24th June 2020, we received more than 60 likes!
Our friends and relatives continue to support and love us and we really appreciate it.
Thad’s anniversary is coming up. With circuit breaker, I guess the memorial run this year is not possible. Thad will understand this.I remembered Thad’s anniversary at Mass at 6.15pm today. Grateful he brought me into your friendship. God bless!Archbishop Emeritus of Kuching, John Ha
Blessings on the Cheong family and eternal bliss for ThadBrother Michael Broughton
May you rest in peace Thaddeus and enjoy the eternal kingdom until we meet again! In the meantime, always keep a watchful eye on us and intercede for us whenever we need divine help.Catherine Tan
Thinking of you all this time. XXJulie Clark
Thinking of you and your family. God bless you always. XXXXMoe Gibson
May the good Lord continue to shine His blessings on you and family.Kok Fann
Thaddeus, it is raining dogs and cats in June..can you imagine that? We had flash floods yesterday.Serene Lim
My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.John Herzinger
With you in prayer and spirit. No doubt Thad is interceding from heaven. We remember Thad with love and gratitude. God’s grace be with you!Gloria Loh
I have always sensed how much you miss Thaddeus. Our thoughts and feelings do vibrate spiritually to him as I believe this. Just like Jesus Christ has died in the physical sense, yet the spirit of Jesus Christ carries on. And I believe the spirit of Thaddeus carries on too. Today my prayer will be at my home altar in remembrance of late Thaddeus.May today be a day of remembrance of all the good times late Thaddeus had provided you. It’s all been many treasured and happy moments he had with you. The joy and happiness as a bonded family. I can still recall the occasions you spoke of Thaddeus so proudly to me and how you had been training him up, the times in Tasmania etc. So much of joy in you as you expressed. We treasure our loved one, yet missing our departed loved one dearly.Francis Claudius
It is a special day for you and family. Feel our love and prayers walking with you this day. But more importantly, God is with you.Amy Lim
Time flies…but the pain of loss remains… take care and be safe and be strong.Sally Low
Thaddeus, may the Lord continue to bless you and family. Amen.Mei Leng
Your Thaddeus is always with you. I could feel it when you were travelling in Japan. Love and blessings to you.Narita Kiyoe
Thad is well remembered and loved always.Chung Hwa
My prayers are with you and your family today. Stay safe and healthy.Hai Ying
As I return home from my 5km jog in remembrance of Thaddeus, I would like to thank you for sharing him with me. I am and will continue to be inspired by the love that radiates through you, as you speak of him.Sending you much love and blessings as I join you and all who love Thaddeus in celebrating and remembering him.Yiting
5km completed in memory of Thad. Keeping him and your family in prayers. Sorry no photos to share though.Lionel Chai
Thaddeus is much loved, always remembered and always in our hearts.Anne Loh
We miss you Thad, fond memories of you will continue to be with us.Regina Heng
I read the Straits Time today and wanted to let you know that my prayers are with your son, you and your family, as you all cross another anniversary. Keep being incredibly strong and being a constant source of inspiration to others and may God bless you all always. Amen!Yvonne Kong
13 years and love of our boys grew even deeper. Sending you lots of love today especially. Forever with you.Sara and Lionel Lim
My thoughts and prayers for you and family on Thad’s anniversary. Time flies but our hearts are the same. Missing him each and every day. Stay strong, we will meet them again.Sharing a simple poem I like:
My child, I keep a place for you
where no one else can see.
I have this gift nobody has
the bond between you and me.At times I cannot feel you here
and that pain won’t go away.
But when I search my place for you
you’re with me every day.My child, you’re not lost,
you don’t need to be found.
I’ve got you here, in my heart
where we’re forever bound.
Teri Koh