Chee Keong Wong

C.K. was born in Kuala Lumpur on December 21, 1961 at 7.55am. During his life, he was content with his nasi lemak meals until the prime minister of Malaysia decided to do cartel and raise the price on cilantro, his favorite garnish.

He packed up his belongings, including his wife Alicia, and his daughters, Joyie and Anyie, to move to Canada where cilantro is still sold at a reasonable price, free of any oppression. In his farewell speech he said: 'In human life, how many decades do we get to pass?' [Life is short, just do it!].

During his five year stay in Burnaby, he fell in love with cumin lamb while he kept his life-long affair with spicy food alive.

Although he was a baker at Tartine, his true talent lay in cooking his own food. People will always remember his love through his Rainbow Salad, his Vegetarian New Year Dish, and many more delicious entrees. His extensive knowledge of herbs and spices never ceased to amaze his friends and family.

C.K. was always willing and ready to give a helping hand. He put Edward Scissorhands to shame. From serving Chinese food, ushering, performing kitchen duty to putting up banners at his church, C.K. did them all with a warm smile. Helping others seemed to be his full-time hobby.

C.K. excelled in wood working. From bunk beds to kitchen and washroom shelves, he forbade any wooden planks to slip into a coma in a recycling bin.

If you are about to throw away any old, holy T-shirts, pause for a minute. You may want to remember C.K., he would never agree to such cruel, heartless treatment of useful clothing.

C.K. took pride in his daily sport of losing things, from car keys to his pants. His family was amazed that he never lost his marbles.

He has three pieces of financial advice:

i) If not cheap don't buy.

ii)If it is not on sale, don't buy.

iii)If you are not going to use it, don't buy.

C.K. travelled extensively. Last summer he stayed in the finest AAA-rated Yellowstone campground; however, he left his heart in San Francisco, which he really loved. If you happen to travel there, please retrieve it on his behalf at the lost & found booth.

C.K. is survived by his four sisters and brother, a sister-in-law and a brother in-law, his nieces and nephews, his wife and two-daughters.

C.K., we will always remember your warm smile, your selfless acts and your Hainan chicken recipe in our hearts.

Celebration of Life will be held at Bell and Burnaby Funeral Chapel, 4276 Hastings Street, Burnaby B.C. on Saturday May 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.