Willie Lim Swee Leng, 74, of Mississauga, Ontario, passed away on August 22, 2020, surrounded by family.

He was born to parents Li Shan Lim and Qi Zhen Chen, on August 3, 1946, in Moro, Riau Islands, Indonesia. Willie excelled at Hwa Chong Institute, formerly known as Chinese High School, in Singapore, earning a full scholarship to study Medicine in Australia. He turned down the offer in order to look after his three brothers and two sisters as the eldest son of the family. Although he regretted not taking up the scholarship, he always believed family came first.

Willie married Yen Heng Wong, the love of his life, in 1970. They have three children: a son, Tong Lee, and two daughters, Lin Li and Teng Li. They also have three grandchildren: Tianna (Tong Lee’s daughter), and Maxim and Czarina (Lin Li’s son and daughter). He started chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo in 1976, and has been active in the Soka Gakkai International Buddhism organisation ever since.

After working for several years as an Airline Manager for KLM Airlines and, with the support of his wife, Willie graduated with a Business Administration degree at the University of Singapore in 1979, while working full time and raising three children. In 1983, the family emigrated to Canada to start his own business, Willie’s Bakery & Pastry. He was proud to have worked throughout his life, most recently at Costco.

Willie was known for his love of Mahjong, where he led the Mississauga Chapter for the Canada Mahjong Federation, and singing, meeting regularly with his “Tuesday Golden Oldie” karaoke class. He lived out one of his dreams when, in 2019, he represented Canada in the World Mahjong Championship held in Lyon, France.

Willie is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. at the Meadowvale Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centre, burial to follow. The family requests that donations should be made to the Buddhist organisation, SGI Canada, in lieu of sending flowers.