Our friendship went far beyond just kinship.  Despite our growing up in very different circumstances, there was initially that bond of kinship, but beyond that there was this sharing of basic values of integrity, family, and all the many other attributes which equate to human decency.  

His warmth and good cheer will always be remembered.  The attached picture was taken in April, 2009 in Toronto at the exhibit of the Cradle of New Chinese Ink Painting.

Father Deignan, Father Chow, 各 位 Laurence 的 親 友：

我 是 何 鎮 源， 現 居 多 倫 多。今 日 (1 Apr 2013) 未 能 和 你 們 一 起 送 別 我 六 拾 年 親 如 兄 弟 的 老 朋 友， 是 我 永 久 的 遣 憾。

我 和 Laurence 五 拾 年 代 在 羅 富 國 師 範 學 院 先 後 受 訓 ， 他 是 我 的 師 兄。 我 們 先 後 到 九 龍 華 仁 書 院 教 書。 其 後 我 們 先 後 獲 英 國 文 化 委 員 會 獎 學 金 到 英 國 進 修 英 文 教 學 法 ，回 港 後 在 九 華 繼 續 任 教 。當 年 九 華 的教 員 室 是 一 間 大 房 ，內 放 拾 餘 張 工 作 檯 每 檯 兩 位 或 四 位 教 員 共 用，Laurence 與 我 同 檯 工 作 十 多 年 無 間。

Laurence 於 1972 離 職 往 政 府 工 作 ，展 開 他 新 的 成 功 一 頁。 我 與 Laurence 兄 弟 般 的 情 誼 保 持 如 昔。

Laurence 於 九 零 後 到 多 倫 多 定 居， 我 們 和 九 華 同 學 聚 會 多， 當 日 的 師 生 成 為 親 切 的 朋 友。

上 星 期 Laurence 去 世 的 消 息， 立 即 綱 絡 傳 出。各 地 的 朋 友 ，同 學 悼 念 譚 Sir 的 電 郵 紛 紛 傳 送 ，追 思 師 生 之 歲 月， 感 謝 老 師 的 教 誨， 為 老 師 在 藝 術 教 育 作 出 的 貢 獻 致 敬 ，全 是 肺 腑 之 言， 訴 之 於 文， 於 詩 歌。我 將 之 放 在 多 倫 多 舊 生 會 的 網 上， 作 為 永 久 的 懷 念。

多 謝 上 主 給 我 Laurence 這 位 兄 弟。

Margaret, Vincent, Simon, 請 節 哀 順 變。

願 主 與 你 們 同 在。

Anthony HO 何 鎮 源 (in Toronto)

Dear Members of the Tam Family, 

I am saddened to hear that another great teacher, Mr. Larence Tam,  has left this world.  Tam taught me physics in Form 3, and I will forever remember his teachings.  My earlier career as a scientist was greatly influenced by the fine teachers at Wah Yan College Kowloon.  I was fortunate enough to have reacquainted with Mr. Tam a few years ago in Toronto.  He kindly presented one of his books to me, and it is currently treasured in the library at Manitoba's Government House.  At this time, my thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Tam's family, friends, colleagues and students. He was a good teacher, a scholar and an artist. We shall all miss him.
 
The Honourable Philip S. Lee, C.M., O.M.,LL.D.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

以下是在加拿大中部Manitoba省現任第二十四屆省督 李紹麟 先生所發出的哀悼。原文是英文，以下是中文翻譯﹕

當收到這位受人尊敬的譚老師離開世界的噩訊時，我深感遺憾。當年譚老師是我中三物理科的導師，我將會永遠記住他的教誨。我早年做科學家的原因，就是受到九龍華仁各位好老師的薰陶。

直至好幾年前才慶幸地在多倫多與譚老師重聚，他把一本他寫的書送贈給我，那本書現成為省督府的珍藏。

此時，我與譚老師的家人、親友、同事及學生一起悼念譚老師，為他禱告。譚老師是一位循循善誘的好老師，是一位學者，也是一位藝術家。我們會永永遠遠的懷念他！

梁培熾教授曾於美國三藩市舊金山州立大学任教，現任金巴倫中學校長，早年曾任職於九龙华仁書院教中文。他和譚Sir在七十年代初於夜校相識，從此互相切磋中華文化，手足情深。

「得接来函，心如石擊，對志成兄離世，悲痛异常，痛失良師畏友，至哀难言；并请转知 令慈，祈為节哀顺变。

梁培熾及家人鞠躬」

本人十分欣賞九龍華仁舊生對各位剛去世及已去世的舊老師的愛戴和尊敬。過去幾年Father Reid、江Sir、薜Sir等都相繼離開，現在到Laurence也離我們而去。他們都是我認識多年的好朋友，我和你們一樣，深感受到失落。

我和Laurence的認識是他在一九五六年入華仁教書時開始。他一向好斯文，語氣十分溫和，處事極之細緻，有時甚至可以說是「長氣」！我好欣賞他的藝術細胞，一直想向他偷師，他每次都說﹕「只要依照你所見到的事物去畫，你就會得到你想要的圖畫！」我問他如何去畫出「一梳蕉」，他就回答說﹕「拿起枝筆去畫啦！你認為它是香蕉，它就是香蕉！你每日都去練習畫畫，總有一日你會成功的！」好可惜，時至今日，我還未能畫出「一梳」似樣的香蕉！

我有一幅Laurence親筆的畫想同大家分享﹕在二ＯＯ九年，為了紀念加拿大安大略省瑪利諾修院學校舊生會成立二十五週年，我們特別訂做了一批印有校舍大樓的紀念杯來分派給各會員。製造商要求在杯上所印的校舍大樓圖像，必需用鉛筆繪畫出來，我們於是向Laurence求救。他義不容辭，很用心地繪畫出一幅我們相當滿意的圖像﹔當然Laurence把圖像作了無數次的修改，繼續追求完美，到印刷的時候，Laurence還未覺得稱心滿意！但是時至今日，所有安省瑪利諾修院學校的舊生，卻一直珍藏著這個別出心意的杯！

現在Laurence返回天父的身旁，再不用擔心我們這些成日麻煩他的朋友，真真正正的可以得以主懷安慰！

Gertrude Chan (in Toronto, Canada)

《藝術評賞 – 舉隅：從文化角度認識香港藝術》
 
羅師校友、前香港藝術館總館長、水墨畫家及學者譚志成教授為教育局撰寫《藝術評賞 – 舉隅：從文化角度認識香港藝術》已出版， 2013年3月9日舉行新書發佈會。譚校友在病榻上仍致力為香港藝術教育、提升學生藝術欣賞作出貢獻，全場兩度起立鼓掌致敬，場面感動。

《藝術評賞 – 舉隅》藝評八位本地藝術家陳福善、楊善深、何秉聰、呂壽琨、韓志勳、王無邪、張義及林文傑的創作，闡述香港藝術百花齊放的創意和發展軌跡，以及本土藝術創作的文化內涵。2010年11 月譚校友曾在教院展覽六零年代華仁學生水墨舊作, 名為「新水墨運動的搖籃」，對以藝術推動全人教育的心願始終如一。

Click below URL link for details and more photos for the event:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.164891680332247.1073741829.128670793954336&type=3

Below is an URL link (from WYKAAO) describing the 九華舊生新水墨畫捐教院 Donation Ceremony of the Cradle Project art pieces to the museum of HK Institute of Education.

Click below to view the story:
http://cradle.wykontario.org/?p=741

Click below WYKAAO URL link for a description of the Cradle of New Chinese Ink Painting Movement:

http://cradle.wykontario.org/?p=750

An extract from Wen Hui Po 文匯報 2010-12-15.  A very good description of Tam Sir's dedicated effort in promoting new way of Chinese Ink Painting teaching - the Cradle Project.

Click below for the full passage:

http://paper.wenweipo.com/2010/12/15/RW1012150001.htm

各位校友：

這是我寫的悼念文章：

http://chrisleung1954.blogspot.com/2013/03/blog-post_8902.html

文章也刊在
http://wyk1971.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=4006385

Christopher Leung (WYK 1971)

Much disturbed by the sad news.  Mr Tam had lived a full and meaningful life, helping his students and the general public to appreciate art, especially Chinese Ink Painting, in creative and innovative ways that opened the road to better art education.  It was an honour for me to work with him, and all of you too; and I hope the Ink Painting project will continue to thrive. 

May he rest in peace!

Norman So

(Below is condolence from Frederick FUNG Kwok Kit of WYK 1972.)

My deepest condolences to Tam Sir's Family.  I truly hope that Tam Sir's family can gather the strength and courage to endure during this difficult time. 

Tam Sir was really a forever missed gentleman, true artist, great teacher and educator.  While I was attending the University of Toronto(U of T), Mr. Tam was attending his Master of Museology at the Massey College, U of T, Canada.    We had dinners(very private and good quality time) together in Massey College and Chinatown from time to time.  After completing his Master of Museology and before we said goodbye to each other in Toronto, he said to me the following:
 
"There is no need to be sad for my leaving,  君子之交淡如水". 

These are the words that Tam Sir said to me prior to his return back from Toronto to Hong Kong in the 70's.
 
To me, Mr. Lawrence Tam was always very HUMBLE, OPEN, ARTISTIC, OPTIMISTIC, CARING and WILLING TO LISTEN.  I would like to share with you some of Tam Sir's emails that he sent me prior to his recent pass away:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9kjttwij4cwzerf/TamSirEmailsToFredFung.txt?n=155836793

As well, I am sure that Tam Sir had enjoyed my 2011 video "Fred’s Café Garden (II)" and wished that he could visit my garden if he were to return to Toronto one day.  I am saddened that it would not be possible now.  I would like to dedicate my video "Fred’s Café Garden (II)" to Mr. Lawrence Tam.  To view the video, please click on http://video.wykontario.org/?p=825. 

God Bless Mr. Lawrence Tam and may God make Tam Sir rest in peace.
 
Frederick FUNG Kwok Kit (WYK 1972), now in Toronto

At the finish line of the Walkathon and mission accomplished!

Striding along cheerfully towards the finish line and never give up.

The weather is good and everybody is happy.

Toronto, Ontario is where Tam Sir and family have called it home for many years and with lots of fond memories. At WYK soccer field, 7 October 2007, where the Wah Yan One Family One Future Walkathon is about to kick off.

Those teenage Chinese painting students of almost 40 years ago are now standing tall in their respective posts. His lifelong beloved partner is by his side. The “Cradle” exhibition is in full swing. No wonder Tam Sir is radiant with pride and joy!

In addition to Tam Sir’s groundbreaking contributions to art education, he was also one of the most creative, influential and prolific artists of his generation. Uploaded to the photo gallery of this site are 37 pages (01LT - 37LT) of his own paintings and drawings during his career, ranging from pencil drawings dating back to 1961, to watercolors in 1962/63, traditional Chinese ink paintings around 1966-1968 (including one with the incomparable calligraphic inscriptions by our late WYK Chinese teacher 劉繼業,) eventually developing into his own unique style of ink painting he was so well known for. 

Each of the 37 pages contains one or more images of his paintings or drawings, 71 paintings and drawings in all, each with its own caption indicating the year it was composed, and exhibitions where they have appeared in, and the present collector of the work. I think you will find this treasure trove of Tam Sir’s life work in creative art most captivating. Let us celebrate Tam Sir’s life and achievements with this collection.

The Most Dedicated Master of Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting and Professor of Chinese Art Education - we miss you and thank you for all the teaching, love and caring....

Earlier this month, Tam Sir made his last public appearance at the launch of his book "Examples of Understanding Hong Kong Art through Culture" (舉隅：從文化角度認識香港藝術), another milestone of his life-long contribution to Hong Kong art appreciation and education. The fact that he managed to compile such a masterpiece from his sick bed is another example of his admirable passion and incredible energy! Salutes!