Our story of Leo Kai Him Ho
Dad immigrated to Canada with our mom in the late 60s. With some luck, the help of great people and a lot of hard work, our dad and mom created a successful life through the restaurant business and specifically, Happy Valley Restaurant in Oakville.
Although some would say dad’s legacy was building a very successful fine dining Chinese restaurant on Highway 5, in Oakville, in the 80s, surrounded by farmland and at least a 15 minute drive from any neighbourhood. I would argue that his success in business was part of our dad’s story but not his legacy.
When our parents retired, they explored the world…traveling to various parts of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Europe, of course Switzerland and all those many cruises to basically everywhere! They often traveled with groups of friends, playing mah jong along the way and enjoying many great meals. When not flying around the world, my dad would enjoy Tai Chi at the local mall with friends, ballroom dancing with my mom, painting, his beautiful orchids, embracing his spiritual side at church and most recently, tolerating my mom’s zoom singing classes! Thank goodness for the “off” button on his hearing aid!! I would say that our dad really enjoyed living life to it’s fullest, especially in retirement, but that was not his legacy.
Our parents were partners in life and in business. They worked very hard to build the family business and it was all for one purpose, to create a stable foundation for our family. Our dad was focused on ensuring mom, Helena, Andy and I had everything we needed to grow, prosper and be successful ourselves. Dad was generous and always took care of us, even in his last days when he reminded mom to water his beautiful plants, but not too much because he was coming home soon to take care of them, he didn’t want mom to worry about the plants! Dad’s pride was the people we became, the families we built. I know he loved Helena, Andy and myself. I know he had so much joy from his grand children, Sarah, Jordan and Naomi and without a doubt, he was grateful to embrace his new great grandson, Leon. This was our dad’s legacy, his family who loved and cared for him as much as he for us.
We know you are surrounded by your family, Popo and Helena in a special place, and you are always with us. We miss you already.
Love,
Amy and Andy
