Kenneth Kin Man Fong was a gentle soul who left us peacefully on October 21st, 2025 at the age of 79. He was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed at his care home in Scarborough, Ontario.
Life and Legacy:
Ken was born on April 8, 1946 in Guangdong, China to the late Hong Ai Fong and Yuen Shun Fong. He was very fortunate to be the eldest of eight children, which included seven younger sisters. At the age of 11, Ken travelled on his own from China to Timmins, Ontario to meet his grandfather, Fong Fu Shang (aka Fong Light). His grandfather had sent for Ken to help him, as he ran a tiny laundry business and solo trucking/delivery business in this small Northern Ontario town. In his early childhood years in Canada, he was met with the kindness from two of his teachers and their families. While Grandpa Light travelled 685 km to Toronto to sell Chinese supplies to Chinese stores, Ken would stay with his teachers on different weekends.
From these humble beginnings, Ken moved to Toronto after graduating from high school and later completed his studies at the Ontario College of Art & Design. His passion and talents in art launched his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the University of Toronto and Ontario Hydro within their graphic design departments. In his early days at the CBC in the ‘60s, he was responsible for the graphic design on television productions such as “The Hour Has Seven Days”. From 1986 to ’89, his entrepreneurial spirit provided an opportunity to own and operate a quick-service restaurant in Toronto on Pottery Road.
Family & Friends:
Known as Ken, Kenny, Uncle Ken, Kin Man, Yeh Yeh and Dad to all his family and friends, his biggest legacy will be how generous and caring he was. He was a gentle force whose life was defined by quiet generosity and his genuine interest in understanding the well-being of his family and friends. While he lived with Parkinson’s for 32 years, he refused to be defined by it and maintained a positive mindset throughout his journey. Ken will forever be associated with his love of art, with its principles expressed in his life through the vitality of sports (skiing, tennis), the creativity of his cooking (peanut butter noodles being a signature dish), his style in fashion, and his enjoyment of colour everywhere.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Irene Fong, his son Eugene Fong (and his wife, Alison) of Markham. Ken was the proud grandfather of two cherished granddaughters: Ashlyn and Brielle. He is also survived by his sisters, Regina Mandegaran, Janice Hung, Angela Himber, Julia Daniel, Sabina Illinik, Patricia Lau, Christina Miller.
Service Information:
A celebration of life will be held for Ken on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00am, the service from 11:00-12:00pm, and reception from 12:00-2:00pm.
As Ken loved colour, we invite you to wear colourful attire to celebrate his love of art. If you are unable to attend, there will be live a WEBCAST available starting at 10:30am on November 2 (with a recording available afterwards). Please feel free to sign the digital Guestbook or add any photos, please use the links above. Finally, there is an opportunity to send flowers for the service, or make a donation to Parkinson’s Canada.
Funeral Details
Show location:
Visitation
York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M2N 5Z5
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Sunday, 2 Nov 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Celebration of Life
York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M2N 5Z5
Get Directions
Sunday, 2 Nov 2025 11:00 AM
Info: PLEASE NOTE: LINK TO THE WEBCAST WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 STARTING AT 10:30 A.M.
Reception
York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M2N 5Z5
Get Directions