After his sudden death, friends remember retired judge Richard Magnus’ support for ex-convicts, needy

SINGAPORE — When Reverend Simon Neo opened Breakthrough Cafeteria in 2007 to hire reformed drug addicts to help them get back on their feet, he did not expect the late Richard Magnus to be one of his regular customers. 

Magnus, who was chairman of the Public Transport Council (PTC) and had five decades of experience in the public service, died at the age of 77 on Tuesday (March 14). The cause of his death was not publicly disclosed.

Speaking to TODAY at Magnus' wake on Tuesday, Reverend Neo said that Magnus, who was then a district judge, would go to his cafe at People's Park Centre in Chinatown during tea breaks. The cafe was near the State Courts where Magnus used to work.

Oftentimes, he would also lead his colleagues — lawyers and fellow judges — to the cafe in support of these ex-offenders. 

The cafe was opened by Breakthrough Missions, a halfway house located in Pasir Panjang that rehabilitates ex-drug offenders, which was also founded by Reverend Neo. 

The 69-year-old Christian pastor, a former drug offender himself who had been in and out of jail in the 1960s and 1970s, said that he was touched by the senior public servant’s regular patronage. 

"With Magnus there, it was very encouraging that he supported people with our background, to accept us. He had that kind of passion," Reverend Neo said.

"He wanted to encourage us, so he encouraged many of his colleagues to go to the cafe. 

"He was willing to accept us, talk to us as a friend... he doesn't seem like a judge, he talks to us like we're old friends," he added.

This gesture was poignant for many of the ex-drug offenders working at the cafe, because they had been hauled before judges such as Magnus and his colleagues for sentencing. 

"Court has become a place that is very hard for us to face," Reverend Neo said. "But now, they are serving the lawyers and judges coffee and tea. It shows them how much they've changed and they're no longer scared." 

At the funeral wake, other friends and colleagues of Magnus who spoke to TODAY echoed Reverend Neo's sentiments on how the late public servant was a humble man who cared for people beyond his call of duty. 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as other politicians, also paid their respects to Magnus on Tuesday.

Magnus' family had asked for privacy when approached by TODAY. The media was also not allowed into his home on Hillcrest Road in the Bukit Timah area where the wake was held.

'HE ALWAYS CARES'

Ms Aira Buang, Magnus' personal assistant at PTC for the past one-and-a-half years, said while holding back tears that had she had "many good things to say about him". 

"Whenever there was a discussion review, he always made it such that it was not like I was talking to a chairman, because of his fatherly figure, and his nature is soft-spoken," the 49-year-old said. 

"And along the way, he would always like to make jokes, and discussions were always pleasant... he was a very humble guy, down-to-earth."

Agreeing, Ms Wong Kok Yee, 75, said that the retired judge, a faithful Christian, always had others' interests in mind. 

Ms Wong, who is retired, met Magnus about 30 years ago at Tung Ling Bible School, where he had served as a board member before his death. 

"His heart is always for people, especially for the people in need. He never looks at his status, although his status is very high, but he always cares." 

Ms Wong also said that there is one quote from Magnus that she remembers: "Nothing wasted, everything used". 

"I think this is the story of his life. Nothing was wasted in his life, every ounce of strength used to help others."

She recalled one occasion when Magnus saw a friend, who had a medical condition, struggling to eat, with food drooling down his mouth. 

"Richard walked forward and he took a tissue paper and he cleaned him. I will never forget that." 

Mrs Allison D'Silva, a church friend of Magnus for more than 20 years, said that he always went beyond his means to care for others such as herself. 

Mrs D'Silva, who works in the civil service, added: "He's such a busy man, but he takes personal interest in asking how you are, how are you getting on, he really remembers you as a friend."

Her husband, Mr Edward D'Silva, said that other than at church, he also knew of Magnus through the public service. Mr D'Silva is a member of the Public Service Commission and is an architect by profession. The couple did not disclose their ages. 

Mr and Mrs D’Silva were very close to Magnus, having been on holidays together and often visiting each other at home for meals. The news of his death came suddenly, as they were making plans to meet up again.

"I spoke to him last Friday and we were supposed to have dinner after Easter (in April)," he said. 

Ms Aira, Magnus' personal assistant, said that the news of Magnus' death also came to her suddenly on Monday morning.

He had a morning meeting lined up, and while she was trying to reach out to him, was informed that he had died.

"It still feels like he's alive," she added.