OBITUARY
REV FR BASIL ENTILI ANAK JOHN
14 MARCH 1968 – 4 NOVEMBER 2021
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Rev Fr Basil Entili Anak John on 4 November 2021 at 4:01am in Miri General Hospital due to Covid infection.
Fr Basil was admitted to Limbang Hospital on 25 October, 2021 and tested positive for Covid. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Miri General Hospital on 28 October and intubated. His lungs and kidneys were badly affected and despite treatment, they were unable to save him. He went back to the Lord at 4:01am, 4 November 2021 at Miri General Hospital.
Basil was born on 14 March 1968 to John Anak Ajin and Ranggu Anak Saban from Rumah Boniface Bada, Sungai Sengga, Suai, Niah. Basil has a brother and three sisters. He had his primary education in Chung Hua Primary School, Bakong and his secondary education in SMK Bakong and SMK Lutong.
He joined the Miri Diocesan Seminary in the year 2000 and graduated at the end of 2006. He was ordained deacon on 30 March 2007 at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Miri and priest on 6 January 2008 by Bishop Anthony Lee at his longhouse in Suai, Niah.
Fr Basil first posting was to St Joseph’s Cathedral (2008-2013); and subsequently he served in Good Shepherd Church, Marudi (2014-2015); St George’s Church, Sebauh (2016-2020) and finally in St Edmund’s Church, Limbang from January 2021.
He was a true shepherd, full of pastoral zeal and love for the people. He was often travelling to visit the many outstations with the catechists and organised many seminars, talks and formation courses for the people in the longhouses.
As a person, Fr Basil was good natured, joyful, kind, soft spoken, humble, generous and caring. He was a man of few words and most people will remember him as a kindly and holy priest in his 13 years of priesthood. He will be sorely missed.
Fr Basil is survived by his mother and three sisters.
He will be buried today at the Lambir Catholic Cemetery no 3, Miri in a private ceremony due to Covid restrictions.
On behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the diocese, I offer my deepest condolence to the family of Fr Basil for their loss of a son and brother. No words can adequately express our sorrow at his sudden passing.
May we draw consolation and strength from the reassuring words of Jesus in scripture: “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26.
May the soul of Fr Basil and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Fraternally in the Lord,
+ Bishop Richard Ng
Bishop of Miri
4 November 2021
You can download a copy of the original Obituary Notice here.
