My Dad lived an interesting & fascinating life. Several years ago, his family urged him to document some of the significant milestones. We are immensely grateful that he heeded our advice; he was granted the opportunity to craft a mini biography.
His life's narrative stands as a testament to the unwavering sovereignty of our mighty God, showcasing how He continuously guided my Dad through every chapter of his life journey. Today, I'd like to take the opportunity to share a portion of his remarkable journey with all of you.
CHILDHOOD & TEENAGE YEARS
My Dad was born in 1928 in the suburb just outside of Qingdao in China's Shandong province. His family lived in a riverside village where they could appreciate the beauty of four seasons. Farming had been the occupation of his family for generations. The values my Dad grew up with revolved around hard work, diligence, simplicity, and unwavering dedication. He was the youngest of the five siblings.
In 1935, my Dad commenced his education at a junior elementary school established by his uncle. He excelled on the provincial exam, gaining entrance to high school. Unfortunately, his academic journey was soon disrupted by the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War. At the tender age of 14, he made the courageous decision to leave his family and seek a better learning environment in the city of Qingdao.
YOUTH
Upon graduating from junior high school, my Dad faced a crossroad, uncertain whether to pursue senior high school or return to his hometown. Providentially, one of his friends had plans to take a new job in Shanghai and invited him to join. My Dad gratefully accepted the offer and moved to Shanghai. There, he enrolled in a recruitment program through the Provincial Legislative Office, which led to his role as a Police-Inspector. He was later transferred from Shanghai to Huangpu Harbour in Guangdong, where he continued his service. It was there that my Dad, at the age of 18, alongside military personnel and civil servants, set sail for Taiwan.
CHINA TO TAIWAN
The voyage to Taiwan was treacherous. Some passengers were so homesick and desperate, they attempted to escape. One of my father-in-law’s companions jumped off the ship in an attempt to end his own life. Being a strong swimmer, my father-in-law jumped in after to try and save him.
The voyage to Taiwan was treacherous. Some passengers were so homesick and desperate, they attempted to escape. One of my Dad's companions jumped off the ship in an attempt to end his own life. Being a strong swimmer, my Dad jumped in after to try and save him.
On the way to Taiwan, ships would pass by the South China sea islands; as per regulation, ships carrying civilians were required to stop 3 miles away from the harbor to avoid collisions. They remained anchored outside the main harbor for over twenty days. Supplies of food and water were running dangerously low, prompting the ship's captain to call for volunteers to embark on a mission to purchase food and supplies. Three young men, including my Dad, stepped forward. On a small wooden boat they set out for a nearby supermarket on the shore in the morning. However, as they began their return journey, they were suddenly confronted by a fierce storm with rough waves and powerful winds. Nearby ships signaled them to turn back, and they witnessed struggling fishing boats and even a collision, which caused one fishing boat to capsize, spilling its cargo into the sea. The passengers of the fishing boat desperately clung to debris, fighting to stay afloat. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, my Dad and his companions took immediate action to lighten their own boat by jettisoning water bottles and the purchased goods into the sea, allowing the wind to push them back towards the northwest seashore. Before long, they reached a small village where they found shelter for the night. The storm subsided by the following morning. After replenishing food supplies and a quick meal, they made a safe return to their ship. Their captain and fellow crew members were immensely relieved, and they all celebrated their successful return with a special meal.
EARLY DAYS IN TAIWAN
My Dad’s ship had remained anchored outside the main Taiwan harbour for a few more days. Tensions in military regiments grew as they waited. Finally, the ship set sail for Taiwan. They arrived in Kaohsiung on December 2nd and were transported to a military shelter. Shortly after, my Dad was assigned to supervise a security team at an auto repair center. He was delighted to find that his old supervisor (from the work in Guangdong) was now the director of the center, and some former colleagues had joined them as well. After four years, my Dad was transferred to the head office of the Taiwan Transportation Auto Repair Center. He lived near a Christian church led by a local pastor, Pastor Jin, and a British Pastor and two lady Missionaries. He accepted Christ as his Saviour while participating in the evening English Bible study classes. He was later baptized by Pastor Jin.
Over the next three years, my Dad completed his high school education through evening classes and started preparing for the Taiwan National University Entry Exam. My Dad was later accepted into the Commerce Program at Taiwan Tamkang University. He truly thanked God for the opportunity to pursue higher education.
UNIVERSITY GRADUATION & WORK
My Dad graduated from university in June 1961 and attended a military training camp at the Airforce Mechanic School. Following the training, he started working in finance & accounting at the Transportation Auto Repair Center. Two years later, he decided to join the Taiwan Stock Exchange in Taipei, thanks to a recommendation from Dr. Yuan, the President of the Stock Exchange, whom he had known from his early working days in China and as his university professor.
My Dad commenced his career in the Finance department within the Calculation Division at the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The calculation team was responsible for all stock purchase calculations. Over time, he transitioned to the Exchange Division. My Dad frequently conveyed his appreciations for the invaluable support, mentorship, and the enduring friendships that he cultivated during his tenure at the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY
In 1964, my Dad’s friend Mr. Shun asked him to tutor his son in math. During this time, Mr. Shun introduced my Dad to the young lady, Miss Hu, my Mom.They married in September in the following year, and later gave birth to Son David and Daughter Jenny.
TAIWAN STOCK EXCHANGE ENTERING COMPUTER ERA
Between 1975 and 1978, my Dad worked as the Lead of the Calculation Division at the Taiwan Stock Exchange. During this time, the team's responsibilities involved daily stock calculations using abacus. The volume of stock trading steadily increased and posed significant challenges in completing the calculations in a timely manner. When trading volume exceeded 10,000 points, they had to add four more abacus specialists who often worked into the night.
The General Manager, Mr. Xia, recognized the team's hard work and asked my Dad about the feasibility of using computers to handle the calculations. My dad suggested acquiring a computer system with accounting software, user consoles, printers, and the commitment to transition the operation from abacus to computer.
The Taiwan Stock Exchange eventually signed a contract with Datapoint to switch from abacus to computer technology, leading to improvements in speed, accuracy, and efficiency. The transition involved training staff using both abacus and computers to ensure the results matched, and the team successfully made the full-scale switch to computer calculations.
IMMIGRATING TO CANADA
In April 1980, my family left Taiwan for Canada, landing in Montreal. We settled in a home above a restaurant in which my parents had invested. However, my Dad soon realized the restaurant business was consistently losing money and that the housing value had significantly dropped due to the recent Quebec Referendum movement, which prompted many businesses and institutions leaving Quebec.
In June, they made the difficult decision to leave Montreal, relinquishing the restaurant and the house they had purchased. While returning to Taiwan was a potential option, as the General Manager of the Taiwan Stock Exchange had graciously extended a job offer to my father, but after many prayers and careful considerations, my parents opted to move to Toronto. Their relocation to Toronto took place in July, and the family settled in Scarborough. My Dad took up a job with an import & export firm in Toronto.
As newcomers, life posed numerous challenges. My parents demonstrated unwavering determination as they toiled tirelessly to provide for their children. Their journey led them to Holy Word Church in Toronto, where they crossed paths with Pastor and Mrs. Tien, forging many beautiful friendships along the way.
VISITING HOMELAND & BYPASS SURGERY
In December 1987, while getting ready to attend Christmas service at church, my Dad slipped and fell on icy ground, injured his left knee. After taking time off work to recover, he continued to experience chest tightening and nausea. These symptoms recurred frequently. In April the following year, my Dad received a diagnosis of obstructed coronary artery disease, which led to medication prescriptions and recommendations for dietary and lifestyle changes, including the possibility of surgery. Around the same time period, my Dad learned about his sister's critical illness in China. Fueled by a deep desire to see her, he opted to delay addressing his health concerns until after the visit to his ailing sister.
On December 12, after 46 years away from his hometown in Shandong, my Dad was reunited with his sister and brother. During this visit, he also paid respects at the graves of his late parents. Overwhelmed with emotions, he deeply mourned and wished he could have expressed his gratitude to them. He fervently prayed that our Heavenly Father had been merciful to them and that they had found peace in their final days. Upon returning to Canada, my Dad was physically and emotionally drained, but he carried the relief of fulfilling his lifelong desire to reconnect with his sister and brother and rediscovering his roots.
In August 1990, a preoperative procedure revealed severe blockages in three of my Dad's upper coronary arteries, necessitating coronary bypass surgery. The surgery took place the following month. The road to recovery was challenging and gradual. Despite the hardships, my Dad's profound gratitude reinforced his understanding of life's unpredictability and the importance of cherishing the time he had left. Consequently, he made significant adjustments to his diet and lifestyle after the surgery.
RETIREMENT
During my Dad’s retirement years, my parents made the decision to downsize and relocated to North York. My Dad remained committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He and my Mom were inseparable. They regularly attended church services and enjoyed festive gatherings with family and friends. Furthermore, they provided loving care for their two young granddaughters. My Dad treasured each and every moment spent with family and friends. On September 12, 2015, my parents joyfully celebrated their 50th Anniversary.
LAST STRETCH OF THE JOURNEY
My Dad grappled with dementia during the last 5 years, and in the final 1.5 years, his symptoms significantly worsened, necessitating his move into the Gibson Long Term Care home. His motor control had mostly deteriorated, and he struggled to recognize people other than my Mom. However, amid the relentless decline in his memory and physical health, his unwavering love and kindness continued to shine through. He forged close bonds with the caregivers and nurses at Gibson, who affectionately referred to him as 'Pa Pa'.
FINAL WORDS
Reflecting on my Dad’s life journey, he encountered numerous challenges, some of which appeared insurmountable. Yet, he consistently expressed his gratitude for God's unwavering guidance and assistance, firmly believing in His enduring love.
In the closing chapter of his mini biography, my father desired to convey his deep appreciations to his family, friends, colleagues, pastors, teachers, and caregivers. Each of you left an indelible mark on his life, making it truly meaningful!
