Old foes unite to say farewell to Elsie Tu's husband

Hundreds of dignitaries and friends gathered yesterday to pay their last respects to the husband of former legislative councillor and veteran politician and activist Elsie Tu.

Sometime political opponents and critics of Mrs Tu, including Szeto Wah and many other senior members of the Democratic Party, put aside their differences to extend their condolences to the widow of Andrew Tu Hsueh-kwei.

Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie also attended the Hunghom funeral, while Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Secretary for Home Affairs Lam Woon-kwong and hundreds of others sent flowers.

Andrew Tu, 80, died on November 27 at St Teresa's Hospital.

While not as much in the public eye as his wife, he was just as much a dedicated public servant, friends said. He founded the Hong Kong branch of the Samaritans in 1974 after witnessing the need for such services through his wife's work in Lok Fu Estate.

Despite persistent ill-health, he remained principal of the Mu Kuang School, Kwun Tong, which he started. More than 100 students and 50 staff attended yesterday's service.