The Chinese character 福 or Fu means "fortune" or "good luck." Our father’s name seemed unfitting for him at the start of his life. Born in 1933 (his actual birth date) in Kolkata, India, he was the first son of eight children. He lost his father (Ying Wah Li) at the tender age of 10 and being the eldest son, worked alongside of his mother (Feng Ying Li) to take care of his brothers and sisters. He was very loyal towards them. He was also very devoted to his mother and obeyed her every wish.

In 1963 our father’s fortune changed when he married our mother (Shuang Ying). They had three children: Bruce/Hung Hui (Teresa), Alex/Hung Yao (Lyanne) and Rina/Ming-Yu (Tim).

Fortune favours the brave when in 1973, our father took a leap of faith and with the help of his second brother came to Canada. First on his own and after he got settled, his brothers helped him sponsor his wife and three children over.

In Canada our father had a good life. He was very family oriented. He taught us the value of hard work, honesty and laughter. He was happiest when his family was together, when the dining room table was covered with food. We played mah jong or card games late into the night. Sometimes he would entertain us with his harmonica. He had a warmth and vitality to him and a deep belly laugh that made you feel like you had just told him the most hilarious joke in the world.

He also adored his grandchildren (Austin, Evelyn, Miranda and Vanessa). He took them on many excursions and every summer they went to the CNE.

Once retired, he discovered that he liked to travel. Along with our mother, they traveled the world. Everywhere he went, he took his good nature with him. He was once referred to as the grandpa comic who made his travelling companions laugh.

In his latter years, he told our mother that he felt like a king having so many people taking care of him. He always gave us a thumbs up when we asked him how he was doing. “Your father is a kind man. He has a great sense of humour.” We were told over and over again by the health care workers who met him.

Our father had a long life, filled with fortune, loving family and friends. He really could not have had a better name. We feel very blessed to have had him in our lives.