By Evelyn Jock
The Catholic community of the Diocese of Sandakan mourns the passing of Fr Nicholas Ong, who returned to the Lord on Aug 3 2026 at the age of 76.
Ordained as one of Sabah’s pioneering local priests, Fr Nicholas devoted 48 years to priestly ministry, marked by compassionate pastoral care, inspiring preaching, and an unwavering commitment to evangelisation, social justice, and the care of creation.
His theological formation included a Master of Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, California, in 1989. A passionate advocate for creation, Fr Nicholas launched the ECOBRICKS initiative at Holy Trinity Church Tawau in 2019 and supported environmental stewardship as an essential part of Christian discipleship, encouraging the young to care for creation.
Diagnosed with stage four nose cancer in 2014, Fr Nicholas transformed his suffering into a powerful witness of hope. Rather than withdrawing from ministry, he continued to serve faithfully and by 2022, he was declared cancer-free.
During an interview with his brother priests, he shared the conviction that sustained him: “Saya mahu hidup” (“I want to live”), not simply to survive, but to continue God’s mission. Inspired by St John Paul II, he often reminded others, “I want you and I to go to heaven together. How can I go to heaven alone?” showing his heartfelt desire to lead others closer to Christ.
The community of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau gathered on Aug 4 2026 to bid a heartfelt farewell to Fr Nicholas before his remains were taken to his birthplace, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan. Upon his arrival in Sandakan, parishioners kept vigil until Aug 6 2026 when the Funeral Mass was celebrated.
The overwhelming number of mourners, from the elderly who had known him for decades to the many young people whose lives he had touched, stood as a powerful testament to a priest who was deeply loved and whose ministry touched countless hearts. Following the funeral mass, Fr Nicholas was laid to eternal rest at Sibuga Catholic Cemetery.
In his funeral homily, Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom described the occasion as a time of sorrow, gratitude and hope. He reminded the faithful that the day’s Gospel assured them the Lord had prepared a place for him. He described Fr Nicholas as a generous and faithful priest who laboured in the Lord’s vineyard for 48 years.
Bishop Julius recalled that Fr Nicholas had served in several parishes within the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and Diocese of Sandakan. When the Diocese of Sandakan was established, Fr Nicholas was appointed as the first Vicar General. A role he fulfilled until health reasons led to his resignation in 2023.
Fr Nicholas also taught in the seminaries of Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and served as Spiritual Director, guiding seminarians in their journey to the priesthood. The local church has been blessed by his faithfulness to the priesthood.
Sharing a personal memory, Bishop Julius recalled meeting Fr Nicholas in 1982 during a two-month preparatory course before entering the seminary. One memorable activity was climbing Mount Kinabalu. Although the ascent was challenging, Fr Nicholas kept everyone laughing throughout the journey. The Bishop recalled that he was never tired because Fr Nicholas kept them laughing, adding that Fr Nicholas could easily have been a stand-up comedian.
Bishop Julius described Fr Nicholas as a caring, humorous and compassionate priest, a courageous shepherd and passionate advocate for God’s people. Reflecting on Fr Nicholas’ ministry, Bishop Julius said he preached with passion and conviction, often tapping the ambo or stomping his foot to emphasize a point. Through his preaching and active use of social media, he reached countless people with the Gospel and remained faithful to his priestly vocation until the very end.
Fr Nicholas’ life truly echoed the words of St Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” His legacy of faith, laughter, love, and faithful service will continue to inspire generations to come. This vision shaped his ministry.
Three things inspired him: first, proclaiming the Good News; second, celebrating the sacraments; and third, encouraging older people to remain active in service and to pass their history, wisdom and faith to younger generations. He believed these three were inseparable. Through the sacraments, he shared, the Holy Spirit builds the Christian community and strengthens the Church on its journey towards the Kingdom of God.
To put this conviction into practice, Fr Nicholas used social media to share videos of himself lifting weights for an hour, three times a week, well into his seventies. By his example, he encouraged older people to care for their physical well-being so that they could remain active in service and passing their shared history, wisdom and faith to younger generations.
He devoted himself to preaching the Good News, celebrating the sacraments, and carefully documenting his personal reflections throughout the Church’s three-year liturgical cycles, so that God’s Word would continue to nourish the faithful.
His fellow priests remember him as a humble, generous, and determined servant of God. As Fr Thomas Makajil who was ordained Deacon and later as priest on the same day as Fr Nicholas reflected, “He was definitely a fighter. Right to the finish line, he remained faithful at his priestly post.”
Fr Nicholas will be remembered as a priest who made the Gospel come alive. His homilies were deeply rooted in Scripture, rich in wisdom, and delivered with warmth, authenticity, and a delightful sense of humor. He had a remarkable gift for making profound truths accessible, touching hearts while bringing smiles to faces.
