Died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in his 86th year. Beloved husband of Marta for thirty years; father to Raymond (Lily Yang), Anson (Aya Utahara), Angela (Chad Lamore), and Cynthia Dahl (James Sommerville); grandfather to Kevin (Nikolas), Steffi, Mitchell (Staci), Nathan, Aleena, and soon-to-be Baby Sommerville. Loved and respected by many family members, friends, colleagues, and patients.

Dr. Joseph Y. Wong received his MD in China followed by his medical specialty training in Canada in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He practiced as a medical specialist in rehabilitation for 50 years. He participated in the founding of Acupuncture Canada (then Acupuncture Foundation of Canada) in 1974. Dr. Wong felt that TCM acupuncture teachings should be joined with western-based scientific medicine. He developed a new direction in acupuncture, based on anatomy and physiology, known as neuro-anatomical acupuncture. This new direction became the basis of the curriculum for Acupuncture Canada, where Dr. Wong was the Chief Lecturer from 1975-2001. Aside from his own practice, Dr. Wong also served as former medical director at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Laurentian Hospital in Sudbury, Ontario. There, he helped to open the first rehabilitation department to cover Northern Ontario. He has also served as a consultant at various hospitals and medical institutions in the Toronto area.

His remarkable contributions were recognized in February 2017 when he became the recipient of the Groundbreaker Award from the Dr. Roger’s Prize for Excellence in Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Dr. Wong also received the Clifford G. Woolfe Memorial Lecture Award from Acupuncture Canada in 1993 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Medical Acupuncture Education. He lectured around the world, and received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open International University of Complementary Medicine, as well as the “World Famous Doctor Award” and the “Golden Ox Award” from the World Peace Foundation of the United Nations. He has long promoted the fusion of Eastern and Western medicine with the intention of integrating them into the mainstream, and he emphasized that doctors should utilize the best from both disciplines to perfect an empirical medical approach. Dr. Wong is the author of multiple publications on acupuncture, including a series of books on neuro-anatomical acupuncture.

Joseph Wong was a generous man who always found time for others. He loved socializing with family and friends over a meal - especially fresh seafood. He and his wife would often welcome large groups of guests into their home, where he was known for cooking full and delicious dinners. Always youthful in spirit, he played tennis until nearly the end of his life. When not working or studying, he also enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, travelling, and watching the Toronto Maple Leafs. A kind and gracious gentleman, Joseph Wong will be remembered as an inspiration and healer to many.

Visitation will be held at the ELGIN MILLS FUNERAL CENTRE (1591 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill) Monday, November 13th from 4-8 pm and Tuesday, November 14th from 9-10 am. Service will be held afterwards in the chapel at 10 am on November 14th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice. Condolences may be left at www.etouch.ca.