Tribute to Maurice Barsenbach

Maurice Barsenbach - The Exemplary Antonian

It was indeed sad news to hear of the passing away of our good friend Maurice. To many an Antonian he was the beacon, who made every Antonian proud to be assocated with a College he admired, respected and remained tremendously loyal to the very end.

I have known Maurice for over 40 years, although I did not know him at College since we were in different grades and groupings. My memories of him will always be associated with Cricket. He was a member of the famous 1948 side which beat Trinity after many many years. In the good old days he used to carry the group photograph with him and show it around to the "young Antonians". As far as memory serves that side consisted of Hannan and Cooray, Pamunuwa (Captain) who was called "Gul" Pamunuwa, Dickie Dunuwille, C A G Dissanayake, Sam Samaradasa - Wicket keeper Batsman, Pararajasingham, Abeysinghe, who was then the fastest schoolboy bowler who bowled thunderballs by taking only about 6 steps. The others were I believe Aubrey Deutrom and Joe Duff-Tytler. Maurice strongly believed that the ball was there to be hit, and hit he did.. Some of his big hits cleared the grounds and also the adjoining roads. One hit almost reached the Rahula grounds. At Asgiriya against Trinity, He lifted Wadsworth from the hockey ground end over the road into the woodshed. Maurice was never able to get the coveted Eagle because he missed getting a century for College. He got to the eighties, very close to the century and would get out. He almost made it against the Bens at the College grounds. Ronnie Stephen.Cecil Amerasinghe, Donald Andreisz and self were there when at 98 he decided to hit a six against the best bowler in the Bens side, top edged and was caught near the sight screen. If a top edge can go so far, it is a tribute to his hitting power. Along with Tom Deen, Maurice would have been the best hitter St Anthonys produced, with the exception of the great Jack Anderson.

On leaving School, Maurice joined the Railways and played with much distinction. After retiring from the Railways, he joined the Kundanmals Group and Captained the team for a number of years. Maurice was also a good Soccer player

Old Antonians in Melbourne will remember the efforts he put in to form the Old Antonian Social Club. The never ending calls, some in the middle of the night was the "wake up call" to wake up and do something-.. and we did something. The result the Old Antonian Social Club is a tribute to Maurice in more ways than one. Maybe a Trophy in his name awarded to the Best Batsman at the Trinity/Antonian Match here in Melbourne or at the Big Match in Sri Lanka could be in memory of him. The Committee can decide on this matter.

We bid farewell to great and loyal friend. To Coral and the family we share in their grief and entrust them to God's abundant love and care.

Gordon Cooray

I do indeed endorse the sentiments that you have expressed in your message on the demise of one of our hard hitting cricketers of yester years, perhaps a few years ahead of my playing days.

I could even now picture Maurice hitting Lalla Wodsworth to the old army camp at Asgiriya grounds, when we were seated by the side screen.( those were the good old days ).

I shall be pleased if you could convey our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family in case we are unable to make it in time to Melbourne.

Regards

Tom & Patricia Deen

We are sad to hear the death of Mr. Maurice Barsenbach. So please accept our condolences, and prayers from the Antonian Fraternity in the college. We will remember him in our Holy Masses and pray for the bereaved family too. May God bless you and protect you all. Fraternally,

Fr.Titus Rodrigo O.S.B.

Principal, St. Anthony's College, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Please find below a message from the President of Australian Branch about the sad passing of Mr Maurice Barsenbach who served Australian Branch from its commencement.

Colombo Branch wishes Maurice's wife and family our deepest condolences.

Kind regards,

Shane.

Shane Bayley

Hon. Secretary

SACKOBA, Colombo Branch

Hi All,

It’s with great sadness that that I have to announce the passing of our dear friend Maurice.

Maurice was a pioneer committee man of our beloved club from the inception. During the latter stages he acted as the protem chairman at our AGM’s.

Maurice was a very passionate & a loyal Antonian who always had a voice for the well being of St Anthonys.

He will be sadly missed by all of us.

Our condolences go to wife Coral and his family.

I shall forward the funeral details when finalised. I am hopeful most of us can be there.

Please pass on this message to others.

Regards

Marlon

Maurice and I got off to a bad start at the 150th but he was such a humble person that he made the initiative in our subsequent friendship. He used to call me on and off but that stopped a couple of years back and I guess it must have been due to poor health.

I remember an episode soon after the 150th when he had overheard a couple speaking in Sinhala at a Melbourne Supermarket and befriended them, only to discover the female was a cousin of mine who had just migrated to Aussie. They had informed him that they had found a business in Brisbane and were moving there in a few days. He did not waste anytime but hastened back home and called me with the information. May God bless his soul. Please convey our Deepest sympathies to his wife.

Regards

Nishantha Seneviratne (Sri Lanka)

Sorry to hear the demise of one of your great members! Please convey my deepest sympathies to Coral his wife, and the family.May his soul rest in peace!.Our prayers to this end.

Regards., Neil Wijeratne. Ajax. On.Canada.

Indeed my family and I was very saddened by the passing away of Maurice Barsenbach. We pray that his soul rests in peace and eternal light shines upon him. He was a lovely person and I'm sure will be missed by many a family and friend. Rest in peace Maurice. - Toni Duetrom