Teo Hoo Lye, death 16 November 1933, Singapore

Death. Teo. At 13 Dhoby Ghaut on Thursday November 16 at 1.45 a.m. Mr. Teo Hoo Lye the beloved father of Teo Teow Peng, Teo Teow Cim, Teo Teiw Geok, Mrs. See Cheng Ann and Mrs. Chin Hock Chye, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 years. Date of funeral will be announced later. [The Straits Times, 16 November 1933, Page 10; The Straits Times, 17 November 1933, Page 10]

MR. TEO HOO LYE DIES AT 80. From Labourer To Ship Owner. The death occurred early yesterday of Mr. Teo Hoo Lye, the well-known Chinese after whom the Teo Hoo Lye Institution was named. His death follows that of his wife, Madam Kam Tak Poh, who died on Nov. 9 at their home in 13 Dhoby Ghaut. Mr. Teo Hoo Lye leaves five children, the eldest of whom is Mr. Teo Teow Peng. Mr. Teo Hoo Lye was born in China in 1853 and came to Singapore at the age of 18. In Mr. Song Ong Siang's book on 100 years of the Chinese in Singapore, it is stated that Mr. Teo Hoo Lye earned his living by manual labour but with indomitable perseverance he was able to start, a few years after he arrived here, a small grocer's business in Rochore Road. When 25 years old he went to the Natuna and Anambas Islands and engaged in the copra trade. He became owner of certain steamers and his firm acted as consignee of ships belonging to other Chinese owners. He also employed a fleet of native sailing craft for conveying copra, sago and other produce from the Natunas to this port. In 1909 he started a mill for turning out parboiled rice only, but the mill ceased working just before the war, owing to the shortage of padi. He was a large house-property owner and had two sago factories in Havelock Road, Geylang. For some years he served on the committee of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. [The Straits Times, 17 November 1933, Page 13; The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 17 November 1933, Page 6]

FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT. The funeral of the late Mr. Teo Hoo Lye will take place on Sunday, November 26, 1933. The cortege will leave the house, No 13 Dhoby Ghaut for Bukit Brown at 11 o'clock sharp. [The Straits Times, 24 November 1933, Page 10]

Mr. Teo Hoo Lye. Impressive Funeral Procession. One of the longest processions ever seen in Singapore was held on Sunday when the funeral of Mr. Teo Hoo Lye, the well-known Chinese, took placve. Mr. Teo Hoo Lye died on Nov. 16 in his home in Dhoby Ghaut at the age of 80. His wife died a week previously and they are buried close to each other at Bukit Brown Cemetery. Hundreds of wreaths, scrolls and other evidence of sympathy were received. Starting at 11 a.m. at Dhoby Ghaut, the procession passed along Selegie Road, Middle Road, Beach Road, Rochore Road, Rochore Canal Road, Bukit Timah Road to Bukit Brown Cemetery. The procession did not break up untill well past 4 p.m. Thousands of people followed the procession, among whom were leaders of the various communities. The chief mourrners were his three sons. [The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 28 November 1933, Page 2]

The family of the late Mr. Teo Hoo Lye beg to thank their relatives, friends and associations who attended the funeral on Sunday, Nov. 26, 1933, and also those who sent caskets, wreaths, scrolls and letters of condolence. [The Straits Times, 28 November 1933, Page 10]