Kien Toong passed away peacefully in his 85th year at Scarborough General Hospital, comforted in his final days by his loving family. Known to friends and family as Tony, he was brilliant at mathematics, an advocate for the Chinese community, an avid sports fan, an adventurer and a champion at Mah Jong.

Tony was born in a small village in Southern China to Harry and Yuet Yee Yue. He was predeceased by his younger brothers, Kenneth and Kien Oih, and is survived by his older half-brother Kien Laing and younger sisters Miu Ching, Helen and Jenny; his loving wife Rose; his three children Clarence, Christopher and Pamela (Ivan); and his three grandchildren Tiego, Leia and Ozzy.

Cerebral and curious, he went to study at the prestigious University of Hong Kong, graduating at the top of his class with a double major in structural and civil engineering. He made enduring and long-lasting friendships with his classmates who spread out over five continents but stayed in touch all this time. While completing his post-graduate internship, on scholarship, in London, England, he met his future wife, Rose, who was a nurse manager at the St. Charles’ Hospital. They reconnected in Canada, eventually settled in Toronto, got married and opened the door for both their families to come to North America.

Tony was at the forefront of modern engineering. His first design and construction project was the Ontario Science Centre, and he continued with innovative projects including the first high-rise complex in Canada built on reclaimed land; the development and implementation of load bearing solutions for diagnostic suites in hospitals; airport terminals in Toronto and abroad; and the design and maintenance of many bridges in Southern Ontario. He remained at the same firm for his entire career, was a highly sought after industry expert and ultimately retired as Principal Partner and President.

In his personal life, Tony established one of the first formal badminton clubs in Toronto and coached baseball in the community as well. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to participate and watch multiple sports. A very competitive Mah Jong player, he consistently came out on top and, ever the prankster, would slyly trash talk his competitors along the way!

Tony was a man of many enthusiasms and expectations for whom the world and its demands were sometimes a challenge, but he will be remembered as someone who was bright, curious, generous, cultured and kind.

His family offers their deep appreciation to all the staff at North York General Hospital and Scarborough Health Network (Grace and General) for their wonderful care over the years and being so very kind and caring during his last few weeks and days.