Dad found pleasure in simple things: laughing at The Three Stooges and Jackie Chan movies (his favourite movie was It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World), phoning a grandkid, meeting friends at the gym, and finding a killer shopping deal on the price of grapes. He was hardworking, generous, and one of the kindest souls you could ever hope to meet.

Born in the village of Hoi Ping in what is now Guangdong, China, in 1934, he was separated from his Cabri, Saskatchewan-based father for many years by the Canadian government’s Chinese Exclusion Act, a discriminatory piece of legislation meant to prevent Chinese immigration to this country. His father, Sam Chew Yuen Wong, came to Canada in 1912 and paid the infamous Chinese Head Tax. After the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act, David finally immigrated to North America in his late teens.

After working at restaurants in Seattle where one of his fellow busboys was a “crazy” guy named Bruce Lee who wanted to be an actor, he eventually reunited with his parents and sister who were by then living in Calgary. David learned to drive on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede and attended James Short High School where he studied to be an auto mechanic. After high school, he drove east in an old Buick and settled in Toronto. After being unsuccessful in finding work as a mechanic because “the boss doesn’t hire Chinese workers here,” he forged a 20+ year, finger lickin’ good career (even meeting the iconic Colonel Sanders himself) managing a KFC on Queen St. West before that part of the city became trendy.

For most of his life, he didn’t have time for hobbies – too busy working long restaurant hours and helping his wife Mei raise their four kids – but after retirement he made new friends at the Cummer Park Community Centre and discovered a passion for running in his 70s. He wasn’t fast, but he was persistent and eventually entered two 5K races where he placed 6th and 8th in the 75+. His smile in those moments was pure joy.

We are holding onto the memory of that wonderful smile as we mourn the passing of this man who was great in all the ways that mattered the most.

David was predeceased by his parents and sister Mae. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mei Ling; children Irene, Gordon (Jessica), Anne, and Gary (Theresa); and grandchildren Madeleine, David, and Rachel. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at North York General Hospital and Kensington Hospice for their professionalism and compassion during Dad’s last illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kensington Hospice at the "Make a Donation" button below.