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| Thursday, 17 June 2004 |
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Sixtieth wedding anniversary The Rev. Eric Bartholomeusz and his wife May will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today with a Service at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, at 6.00 p.m. The Rev. Bartho- lomeusz, a staunch Old Thomian who was Chaplain to the Bishop of Colombo from 1990 to 1994 and Chaplain of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia during the same period, is a popular figure well-known in radio and drama circles for his fine performances as a singer and pianist specialising in light music. Even after his ordination in the early 80's, the Rev. Bartholomeusz continued to some extent with his music. He would entertain guests at a leading five-star hotel. He was a staff officer at Ceylon Insurance for several years and later worked at a well-known advertising agency. A sophisticated raconteur, he recalled with delight how when Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike was Prime Minister, he was one of the artistes who had been invited to contribute to a St. Bridget's Convent event at which Mrs. Bandaranaike was present. He could hardly believe it when a steward came up and told him that the Prime Minister wished to see him. The Prime Minister had complimented him on his contribution, adding that she had greatly enjoyed his music. The Rev. Bartholomeusz also played at the then King's Pavilion, Kandy, the official Kandy residence of the Head of State, when Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip paid a State visit to Sri Lanka in 1981. The Rev. Bartholomeusz has been featured on numerous radio programs over the years. He presented the first syncopated piano medley on Radio Ceylon in 1939. A program. Reminiscing with Eric, was broadcast on the SLBC last December. While on a visit to Holland some years ago, the Rev. Bartholomeusz was invited by a resident Sri Lankan to play with a 12-piece band. He received a standing ovation. He served as a staff officer at Ceylon Insurance for several years after completing his schooling at S. Thomas'. He played cricket for the second X1 at college but kept up with his cricket, playing in the Mercantile League, captaining in the finals. He was an off-break bowler. May Bartholomeusz was a teacher which career she continued even after her marriage to Eric. She is a painter who gives away her pictures as presents, never selling them, and an expert cakemaker, reaching her heights in this craft when wedding cakes sold for as little as Rs. 150 and not the Rs. 20,000 and more they fetch today for five-star hotel weddings! Their child, Darryl, also an Old Thomian, died in the mid '90's of a heart ailment. |
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