Dad was born a fighter - right from birth he showed the universe his resilient spirit. He survived but his twin did not.

Papa would follow the hardships of the second world war by leaving his devastated home of Shanghai while the Japanese were starting to occupy. His mother wouldn't survive the war. There was not much money for extravagance such as toys, papa would make toys out of found objects for his sister, brothers & step brothers. Papa loved to tinker with things or repair objects. He would often save parts from broken objects because "you never know when you might needed it to repair something else".

Papa was in the army for a short time, he often mentioned how grateful he was for the doctor who took pity on him when he became ill and released him from his duties. He started a new life with nothing.

Papa was a scholar and immersed himself in books and became a civil engineer in Taiwan. He put himself through school with odd jobs - math teacher's assistant and the school janitor at night. While working on bridges in Taipei, he met his future wife.
Together they would immigrate to Toronto in a quest for a better life for their two young children Shirley and Henry.

It would not be easy for papa as language barriers would hold him back from getting a job in his field. Papa traveled across Canada to apply or do short term contracts wherever he could. He was often told that he was over qualified. Papa decided to further his education at Guelph University, while his young family was living in Regent Park, Toronto. Many bus rides back & forth on the greyhound.
Papa and mama scraped enough money together for a downpayment to buy a small semi-detached house on Lynedock Cres. to ensure their children could attend some better schools (Roywood, Donsview Jr. High & George S. Henry).

To support the family, Papa settled for a sorting position with Canada Post. Papa and mom would save enough money to buy their last home on Shaughnessy Blvd. where they lived for the last 35 years.
Papa was forced into early retirement by Mama after his quadruple bypass in 1985.

Many people know Mama Lu was the queen of charities, but little knew about her silent partner. Papa was mama's assistant, her accountant, her sounding board, the time-keeper to ensure Mama Lu got to an event on time. They both volunteered in their own way, but both wanted to ensure it was a great community to raise a family and to live among good neighbours.

We say good bye to our beloved papa and friend - we will miss you.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.”