Celebrated cricketer and gentleman par excellence

Generous to a fault, Aubrey was ever willing to lend a hand to whoever was in difficulty

At our gatherings, he would regale us with anecdotes from his extensive repertoire

It is just over three months since my friend and colleague Aubrey passed away. We used to call him “Evergreen Aubrey” as he never seemed to age. Sumangalika, Aubrey and I were batch mates at Peradeniya  University and remained close friends through the years. Although we were almost the same age, he looked ten years younger than us. With his boyish good looks, Aubrey bowled many a maiden over but no maiden was able to find a place in his heart. He remained a bachelor till the end. 

Aubrey lived and breathed cricket. Subsequent to representing his alma mater S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, he proceeded to represent Peradeniya University and Saracens Sports Club. When age forced him to give up playing, he took up coaching, providing cricket commentaries and writing articles on cricket and rugby. His commentaries were very entertaining and his articles comprehensive, incisive but with a touch of humour. If my memory serves me right, Aubrey coached Sri Rahula and Vidyartha Colleges. His students whom he used to mentor even after they left school were very fond of him and ever so grateful. I heard that his present and former students had organised a felicitation ceremony for Aubrey about three months prior to his demise. I wonder whether one of his students had a premonition about his death. I was also told that his students shouldered all funeral arrangements, which goes on to show the place he occupied in their hearts. I once asked Aubrey why he did not go for coaching in one of the so called “elite” schools such as Trinity, Dharmaraja and Kingswood. His reply was that these rich schools could afford to employ anyone they wished but he wanted to help the poorer schools. I think this reply speaks volumes for Aubrey’s sense of values. 

On the lighter side, Aubrey was so fastidious that he would wash a banana before consuming it

Aubrey did an excellent job as head of the Arts Faculty English unit at Peradeniya  University. He executed his duties efficiently and was able to keep everybody happy: an onerous task considering the fact that the majority of staff members were middle-aged ladies. I remember him pacing the corridors of the Arts Faculty on a daily basis, making sure all classes were manned. With his easygoing ways, Aubrey was loath to rebuke anyone who worked under him and when forced to do so, he did it with a smile, taking care not to hurt that person’s feelings. 

Generous to a fault, Aubrey was ever willing to lend a hand to whoever was in difficulty. Friends, colleagues, students and minor staff all came to him for help and Aubrey would always oblige. He also helped a large number of people in numerous other ways such as securing employment for his students and school admissions for children of minor staff. 

Aubrey was one of the wittiest people I have met. He had a quote suitable for any occasion. Some of these were in Latin which most of us didn’t understand. Aubrey was a raconteur par excellence. At our gatherings, he would regale us with anecdotes from his extensive repertoire. 

On the lighter side, Aubrey was so fastidious that he would wash a banana before consuming it which we found to be hilarious. We used to tease saying it was a good thing that he did not get married because his wife would have developed pneumonia after too many showers a day! 

I heard of Aubrey’s death while I was on my way to the airport to fly to the US. Thus, I was unable to pay my last respects. Although I regretted it at that time, now I am happy that I will be able to remember Aubrey as he was: a lively, vibrant man full of charm and wit. Goodnight sweet prince!  
Manel Eriyagama