What a beautiful eulogy to someone that you clearly formed a connection with in Chiang Mai. Whilst he might not have been a saint, he clearly made a big enough difference to compel you to write of his passing and for many people he touched to attend his memorial service.
I don't believe that gravestones or plaques are a memorial to those that have passed on. The true memorial of a person is formed from the stories that are told by the people that remember them.
Thank you @philemerson. I completely agree with you about gravestones or plaques. The real difference is in peoples hearts and minds.
I hope you're able to come to terms with your loss soon. Grief is one of those things that's impossible to quantify as each person experiences it in their own way and in their own time. Best wishes.