Master craftsman jeweler, like his father Richard before him, Christian Ho-A-Sim died on December 16, at the age of 60. Passionate about model aircraft and an excellent Tennis player, he is remembered as a humble and generous man. His relatives testify.
His friends are unanimous. Christian Ho-A-Sim, “ BB » for those close to him, was a man « generous, discreet, calm, caring ». André Barrat adds that he was also « loyal and faithful in friendship ». And he knows what he's talking about : the two men are known on the benches of the primary school, rue Gabriel Devèze in Cayenne. « Then we went to Nonnon college, then to République college. He was a math enthusiast. I also remember our laughs in Portuguese class with Madame Dorsi ! » remembers André Barrat. From this time, the friend remembers their rituals with nostalgia. “In college, after classes, we went to our aunts' bakery to get pastries. Sometimes, during the weekend or on vacation, he took us friends to the family housing estate in Montjoly. There was a volleyball court, a swimming pool. We had good times. »
Other memorable moments : those spent, as adults, with the Kiwanis Club of Rémire-Montjoly. Christian Ho-A-Sim was one of the founding members in October 1999. Within this service club, he held several positions over the years, including that of president. « From May 8 to 12, 2013, we accompanied children to Disneyland Parisrecalls André Barrat. Some of them had never been on a plane. It was a superb action. »
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Committed to the Kiwanis Club, Christian Ho-A-Sim was just as committed to the Guyana Tennis League. “He had been playing for a very long time and had a very good level” recalls Fabrice Prévot, president of the League. Personally, I met him when I started playing at the age of five. We often played together at the Suzini Tennis Club, but I also knew him outside the tennis courts. He was a very accessible person and I often went to see him at his jewelry store, rue De Gaulle, in Cayenne, or at his home. »
Holder of several Guyana Champion titles, Christian Ho-A-Sim no longer played too much in recent years – his last license dates from 2010 – yet he continued to follow the work of the League. “He has always been involved, often by sponsoring tournaments, says Fabrice Prévot. He followed the news and remained subscribed to our information. He was also very happy when I was elected president of the League. »
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It was also tennis that led Jean-François Koedjoe to cross paths with Christian Ho-A-Sim. « In the 80s, forty years ago already. We mostly played in the evening, because he finished work at 7 p.m. »
Although they had a lot in common, the two men did not particularly talk about the profession of Christian Ho-A-Sim. Having become an artisan jeweler like his father Richard, he, like him, had become a master craftsman. “But he was such a humble person that he didn’t brag about it. I learned about his title of best worker in France on TV.” remembers Jean-François Koedjoe.
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In a report produced by our teams in 2023, Christian Ho-A-Sim talks about his journey and in particular the moment when, despite his desire to become a pilot, he chose to follow the path traced by his father. His apprenticeship at the Louvre school in Paris, his time at the gemmology institute in Los Angeles, his master craftsman diploma, best worker in France, are all gems on his CV. But, modest, as those close to him describe him, Christian Ho-A-Sim does not dwell on it. His wish, at that time, was to transmit his art to the youth of the country.
“What I will remember about him is above all his kindness,” insists Jean-François Koedjoe. He looked after his parents, his brothers and sisters, his wife, his children… He was my daughter's godfather. We did so many things together. He’s my soul brother…”
Christian Ho-A-Sim will be buried this Saturday in Cayenne, after a religious ceremony in Rémire-Montjoly. He leaves behind his wife, three children and two grandchildren.
Christian Ho-A-Sim, Master craftsman jeweler
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©Alexandra Silbert/ Clotilde Séraphins Georges
Vigil on Friday, December 27 from 7:30 p.m. at the Saint-Antoine funeral space, 2 356 route de Baduel, in Cayenne.
Religious ceremony on Saturday, December 28 at 3 p.m. at the Saint François-Xavier church, in Rémire-Montjoly followed by burial in the Cayenne cemetery (avenue d'Estrées).
