A familiar face who often greets journalists covering press conferences of the Penang chief minister at Komtar’s 28th floor is no more, now that Ong See Fook has passed away.

Ong, 83, was a friendly but quiet civil servant, who had worked tirelessly for three chief ministers, starting with the late Dr Lim Chong Eu in 1970.

He passed away peacefully yesterday, after a month’s illness.

According to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Ong could be the longest serving civil servant as he served the government for 61 years, beginning as a staff in 1956.

Ong created history by serving three chief ministers in Penang.

“We are very sad that he has left us; we will cherish the sweet memories of having worked with him,” Lim told reporters at a press conference in Komtar today.

“We thank him for his dedicated, professional, long and sterling service; his work went uninterrupted until he was on medical leave last month,” Lim added.

“Ong was always in the office, even up to the wee hours of the morning, at times we were the only two persons in the office when I worked up to 3am,” he said.

Lim said former Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon has been informed of Ong’s passing.

He added that although everyone felt the loss of his departure, Ong deserved his rest.

“So rest in peace, Mr Ong, and thank you for your service and contributions”.

Lim has visited Ong’s home in Changkat Minden, and extended his condolences to his family.

Lim will also attend Ong’s wake at 9pm tonight.