Subramani Pillay (13 Sep 1928 - 7 Nov 2017)

To Amma and all the Pillay children, grandchildren and great grsndchildren.
I am so blessed to have known Appa ever since I was a young girl. He made such a profound impression on me from the very 1st time I met him. A true gentleman and a scholar. His calm demeanour and intelligence was his most outstanding feature at the time.

My best and most memorable memory was spending the night with Appa and Amma in their flat, talking until all hours of the night. It was during this encounter that my admiration and wonder just grew tenfold. Appa and Amma shared their life's journey all the way from Durban to England. I still marvel at their sense of adventure, the risks they took all while bringing up amazing children.

I cannot even fathom how they just persevered through all their challenges and reached such great success. We even engaged in vigorous debates about the role of religion in the world and Appa opened my eyes to many misunderstood perceptions.

The world is so much poorer with the passing of such a caring, loving and wise man. Amma stood strong and firm by Appa's side right up until the end. A remarkable woman who I love and look up to.

My thoughts and love to all who grieve his passing.
Vanitha

I will always remember Appa as the perfect gentleman, very witty, full of wisdom and kindness.

To my Best and Dearest Friend Mali and her family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. May Appa's soul rest in peace.
May God grant Amma and the rest of you the strength and patience to bear this great loss.
Thinking of you and wishing I was there in person to share your grief.
However, you are always in my heart.
Love always.
Shahmeem.

Dearest Appa

As you leave our physical world today, my wish is that you will attain eternal peace in the hereafter. When I look at Ben, it is certainly like looking at you, such is the resemblance. I also see the gentleman you are, in Ben. Your intelligence surpassed that of all others. Your value of education inspired me to attain my goals and ensure that it is top priority for our children. Prior to my being interviewed for my current position, you said to me with confidence that I would get it. I thank you for your encouragement. Most importantly, the lesson I take from you and Amma, is your great bond in life, love and marriage. I thank you for your words of wisdom at the beginning of my marriage. It has enabled us to build on a solid foundation. Your legacy will live on in your children, grandchildren and in generations to come.

Respect Always . . . I salute you!

My thoughts are with you Appa.i hold you closest to my heart.you are a great loss to us.thank you for accepting me into your family and showing me much love.i love you very much and will never forget all that you have done for us.rest in peace.i love you Appa

I Mr .S.Manglen together with Vaanen Phillips send our condolences and love to the family of the late Mr.M.S.Pillay on the loss great tamil sxholar.
Our association goes baxk to 1940 as fruends and love for tamil language and the "THIRI KURAL"
In 1946 late M S Pillay , Periar M Soobramoney ,M Anben ,Billy Peters, S A Rajen ,Sothinathans ,R S Reddy,M S Chetty ,Gopal Nair others amd I founded the "THE THIRU KURAL SOCIETY OF S A "
the late MS Pillay was very ambitious in many regards ,like immigratinh to the UK back then.
He was very helpfull and lived by the ideals of rhe "Kural"
Friendship and caring for others was his great quakity.
Being away in UK ,but when ever SA never missed visiting us even being ill with gifts.
Thank you Shane for giving us this opportunity to express our thoughts with the family
from S.Manglen and Vaanen Phillips -Durban

Appa - I have never known a man like you - your intellect and wisdom, your kind heart, your witty sense of humour - you carried yourself like a true gentleman. You were truly one of a kind. Appa - you were my whole world, my father, my confidant - someone I could rely on throughout my life. I cannot imagine a life without you. Your wisdom and advice has seen me through all my hardships, I don't know if my heart will ever recover from your loss. Goodbye Appa - till we meet again. I love you Forever and After.

How do you say goodbye to one of the greatest men in this world. A man who was possibly one of the best examples of a human being. An unrecognised hero of the south African apartheid. A man who was truly a man of the people. A true figure of humility, strength and to his grandchildren especially a person with infinite wisdom. This man I am tremendously proud to say was my grandfather. Appa, your life teachings, stories of your youth, your hardships, your love for your family and your constant desire to learn, grow and develop as a person are things I will share with my friends and family. You were always the person I looked up too. In
constant awe of all you had accomplished. You were a pillar of strength and guidance to all. You had a irreplaceable role in this world and it is so heartbreaking to say goodbye. Your memory and legacy will forever be cherished. Today as we lay you down to rest just know you were fiercely loved and will be dearly missed.

Much love to all the family and friends today. Wish I could be there with you, but you will be in my thoughts all through today. My memories of Subramani Pillay are of quiet strength and determination. I wish you all grace and strength for today, and for all the days to come. The end is only part of the story, and this man's story was one to celebrate.