Bong, 

I'm sad to admit I did not know you as long, or as well, as I would have liked. However, from the time I did spend with you I came to realize that you truly an amazing person who cared deeply for your fellow man. I for one am extremely appreciative that you always took time away from busy family gatherings to get to know me better, where I came from, what my family was like, what was it like to live in -30 degree weather winters, and of course our continuing discussions of the NHL. In turn I also learned much about you, your willingness to help out anyone in need, your love for nature's creatures and your amazing musical abilities. I will miss you Bong, and I am truly blessed to have known a man like you.

Paul G.

Dear Bong…My ‘hippie' big brother, the artsy one…

You loved music, playing your many albums on your turntable which I was not allowed to touch.  I didn't have any interest in doing so anyways until Carol King released her Tapestry album in 1971.  I played that album over and over on your turntable…I guess you finally let me use it…until the vinyl was all scratched.  At this point you banned me from playing Tapestry unless I bought the same album which I did.  I've only bought 2 albums in my life, both Carol King's Tapestry, and it was because you made me.

You were a sports junkie…football, baseball, hockey…couldn't get enough of it…the games on tv and sports cards.  Hockey was your true passion and Dad's too.  Every Saturday night Dad rolled that huge console tv to the kitchen door so the family could watch Hockey Night in Canada while having dinner.  He even let you leave the table to eat in the living room so you could be closer to the action.  What a nut!

Larry, Tony and Gary were fixtures at the house, especially Tony…you two were Bonks and Tonks.  All of you fanatics at table hockey, yelling, and screaming…Score!...then laughter.  Then it started again, the drop of the wooden puck, the metal rods scratching up and down the board, the spin of the players…then Score!...again and again, night after night.  Good times.

Comics…you loved Spiderman and the Fantastic Four…I think you got some from Yee's store…spinning that metal rack around and around looking for the next edition.  You kept those comics in Mom's old blue Kotex boxes.  You also had one rolled up and stuffed in the back pocket of your jeans, no doubt Spiderman #1, and Joe would grab it and smack you over the head with it.  Sitting cross legged on the floor with Larry and Tony, heads hunched over reading comics.  More good times.

You were a really good drawer.  It was a birthday, Shirley's or Joe's, I can't remember whose, and I didn't have a present so I stole one of your unfinished pictures, a portrait with only the mouth missing.  Well I took care of that, carefully drawing big lips and being quite proud presenting it when we had cake that night.  How I could not see the difference between your expert pencilled artistry and my amateur scratch, I'll never know, but everyone else did.  What a yelling I got…Mom, Dad, Shirley, Joe…'say you stole it from Bong, just say it, just say it.  What a brat!'  I was so ashamed, not my best moment.

I learned how to drive a standard car in your red Datsun station wagon.  Joe and Tony took turns with me, kangaroo hopping around False Creek.   I was so scared while stopped on the hill on Venables in front of Maglio's before Commercial…Tony raised the emergency brake until I got the friction point, then released it and the car shot forward before stalling, again and again.  I don't think you knew your car took such a beating…sorry…

And Stephanie and Kevin…you took care of them, inviting us to Playland's Christmas parties at the Coliseum.  All you can eat free hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, chicken strips…holy smokes…then rides in the concourse, ice skating on the very rink the Canucks played, then Santa and presents.  Needless to say this was a highlight for all of us.

There were also Playland's Media Nights, again free hotdogs, popcorn, candy floss and rides.  I remember you saw BCTV's anchor Jennifer Mathers and said ‘wow', I rolled my eyes.    

Giving not only my kids but friend's and family's kids ride passes to the Fair.  Meeting you at the Mini Golf entrance so you could slip the passes through the chain link fence so we could get in, then running back to work.  So generous.  

Getting Stephanie and Kevin their first jobs at the Fair and me not being worried that they were heading off to work as I knew you would look after them.  You were so kind to my kids, thanks Bong.

Never being mean or raising your voice to me.  Being in awe as you could eat a slice of toast without folding it, ride a unicycle and juggle.  Coining the phrases ‘just pretend', ‘off the record', ‘just saying' and ‘sorry about that chief', then nodding and smiling while shrugging your shoulders with raised arms…all you.

Now that you're gone my big regret is not getting to know you better as an adult.  You were a really cool dude.  My heart is broken and I miss you.

Love, Hearng

Hello everyone, my name is Kevin Lam and Danny was my Uncle.  I'd like to share a couple of stories with you, including one that still has an effect on my life today.

Dear Uncle Bong:

   Thank you for always providing me and my friends with the best experience possible at Playland.  Having an uncle that had connections at Playland was a big deal growing up.  You always came through for us whether we needed tickets or food if we wanted any.

   I specifically remember this one time being at Playland with my friend Andrew.  The rides Revelation and DropZone were at the park for a while but I had yet to try them out.  We met up briefly as we usually did to say 'hi' and whatnot, and before you left you asked us if we wanted to go on Revelation and DropZone for free.  Personally I really didn't want to ride them because they freaked me out but obviously I had no choice as I didn't want to look like a chicken in front of Andrew...he would never let me live that down.  As we were being pulled back in DropZone I remember muttering beneath my breath and cursing at you for putting me through that experience.  Then we went on the Revelation and the same thing happened when we were at the top of the ride.  The wind was blowing and the ride was shaking and rattling...needless to say I was quite happy when that was over.  I have to say though, the rides were a lot of fun and it's a memory and story that Andrew and I still bring up once in a while and that was only possible because of you.

   Now comes the life changing moment.  I remember one night Steph and I stayed at your place when we were young.  We went out and when we got back it was really dark outside.  As we got out of your car we could hear this sound that seemed unusual, it sounded like when you mix ground beef and a raw egg together in a bowl, that sticky kind of sound.  We had no idea what it was so we began to try to solve the mystery.  As we looked down at the lawn we saw so many worms popping out and crawling around the surface of the grass and they were so long, at least half a foot to a foot in length.  Worms gross me out to this day and because of that night I can't eat gummy worms at all...they creep me out and make me gag if I try to.

Uncle Bong -

Saying goodbye
Was the hardest thing to do
I never thought I would
Especially to you.

No one will ever take your place
I can promise you this
It's hard to find someone like you
So know you'll always be missed.

Bong,
I've been trying to think of something to post for months. Like you, I'm a man of few words. I will say that you have made an impression on me in life and in passing. I don't take things as seriously any more and try to enjoy each day as it comes. We think of you all the time and you are missed.

Hubby

  Bong's Eulogy from June 17th, 2014
 
My name is Lynn and I am Danny Bong Sam's sister-in-law, his brother Frank's wife.  I want to welcome you all, family, friends, and work colleagues to this celebration of a life far too short but well lived.  But I don't want to talk about the length of Danny's life I want to talk about but the life he put into his years.

My relationship with Danny has been over 30 years.  
Although the last 18 months have been difficult for all of us it brought us  together in a beautiful way.  Danny and his family have always been close but Danny's illness bonded us all in the way that only catastrophic events can.    

I had the privilege to be around Danny as he travelled his last journey.  During the last 18 months he never complained about the myriad of medical procedures he endured.  I sat with him as he put a towel over his head so he didn't have to see the nurse poke his arm for the umpteenth time and I was truly inspired by his sheer will to live and do whatever it took to stay with us.
  
Who was this quintessential boy- man, the dreamer, the poet, the artist, champion of the underdog, devoted family man and friend?  

 What a fascinating character.  From his obsession collecting all things plastic, his chronic lateness, the endless loyalty to the Vancouver Canucks, to his morbid fear of stepping on a slug.  These things were all a part of his complexity.  I knew him to be one of the kindest and gentlest people I have ever met.  He didn't have a mean bone in his body.
The devotion he demonstrated towards his mother was something every mother would relish. 

His job at Playland was more than a job to him.  He really felt like he was a part of another family there.  As an artist he put his own special style into all the work he did.  From the lettering of the signs: “If you are this tall you can proceed” to the whacky portraits of himself and Reg that would be integrated into various rides and signs around the work site.  Danny was one of those rare people that actually enjoyed going to work. 
  
And what about his commitment to the love of his life, Reg?  The love that Danny and Reg shared was ferocious in it's intensity and inspiring in it's selflessness.  It was one of the greatest love stories anyone could imagine.   

His mother-in-law Lorraine Smith, who is here today, shared with me the first time she met him.  Danny was her daughter Reg's new main squeeze.  And there he was………..riding towards them on a unicycle, bare chested, with his long black hair flowing out behind him.  It was quite a first impression for the mother of his future soul mate.

I could speak for a long time about Danny, my brother-in-law and my friend but I won't.  We have many others here today who wish to share their thoughts about this sweet man.

This service today is a brief  sketch provided by people who loved him.  This is like a pencil sketch and it offers a glimpse into the life of Danny Bong Sam.

Music is the language of the soul and we will be listening to some favourite music of Danny's today carefully selected by his best friend and soul mate Reg.

 In Closing thank you Doreen & Gary for the music you have provided.

Thank you to all of the speakers today.  It is a huge challenge to find our voices during a time of such raw emotion.  
 Once again thank you for sharing this day with us.

Very sad to hear of Danny's passing. I haven't run into him in many years, but will always remember him as a wonderful gentle person.

So sorry we missed the service. Danny had been in our thoughts a lot. From past music times to past early morning hockey games...from stowed beers to brown bagged brandy. I will miss Danny's humor, generosity, long lasting friendship and will remember his spirit forever.

Each and every time I saw my cousin, Bong, we would always enjoy talking about our trip to Buffalo, New York, with my brother, Jerry, on June 22, 1973. We went to see Pink Floyd's “Dark side of the Moon” concert! WOW. We always marvel how the Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium, did not have the same fire restrictions as we did in Toronto. Fire would appear on top of the stage in the ceiling area during Pink Floyd's performance . “Gosh, you gotta be kidding? Is this stadium gonna catch on fire?”, asked ourselves. “Were you worried?” “Worried about what?” “What were we to be worried about?”.

After the concert, we were one of the last to leave the parking lot, as we could not remember where Bong's car was. Did we care? No. There was a lot of activity going on in the lot. One guy I remember was dressed as a super hero with a red cape. Yep. A lot of activity was happening. A lot of whooping and a' hollering. 
We returned to Canada, that evening, to a campsite in Niagara Falls. I don't remember how the tent was put together, but it was. We crawled into the tent with our sleeping bags and passed out dreaming with the sound of dolphin and whales from the nearby Marineland. Yep, we woke up and asked each other...”Did you hear any weird noises last night?” “What sounds?” “Weird sounds were coming from the darkness. Did you hear it?”

Yes, Bong and I enjoyed, the talk, the talk of the past, when we were young and fearless. No problem living on Bong's timetable that had no set schedule, no lateness, no penalties, no worries and no bosses. A wonderful time with no stress. 

I love you, Bong. You will be greatly missed. One day I will join you and Jerry for “The Great Gig in the Sky”, cousin, and we will talk, the talk of the past, “Hey. Remember that Pink Floyd concert in Buffalo? Yeah, that was awesome, eh? ‘Dark side of the moon'. WOW!”

I am so sorry to hear of Danny's passing. He was a sweet, generous person who will be missed by so many. RIP

So sorry to hear about the loss of a great person he grew up to be, from a childhood friend, and brother to my best man Frank... and all the rest of the Sam family.

Danny was the hub of play land,he was like by everyone. He was always able to brighten someone's day, I know he did mine. He would always make time to talk or do a special Jobs and there seem to be lot of them , he was always envolved in something, he would often talk about Reg how they met and how he drove across country to be with her, and he enjoyed the band practices and performances, I wish the deepest sympathy to his family and close friends
Because I know he will be deeply missed,Wilf watchmen 14 yrs of working with Danny and Reg

I met Bong a few years ago and he was the greatest funnest guy to be around. So happy to call him family and blood. I wish I had the chance to know him longer but am so grateful for his visit to Toronto last year. What a guy! <3 <3

I am so sorry for your loss.  Danny was a very fun person.  My thoughts and prayers are with you from down here in Shoreline, WA.  
Colleen Elerick and family

We are so sorry for your loss.  it is not fair that someone be taken so soon.  Our deepest sympathy to the family.

We are so sorry for your families loss.  He will be missed but not forgotten. Our deepest sympathy.
Willy and Donna Dorey

In love memory of a wonderful friend - Danny. You will always live in our hearts & prayers.

Regi, may the love of friends & family carry you through your grief. Take care!

To a great man who would do anything to help anyone out. I loved our talks and walks. I will never forget you Danny. I will always remember the great work gatherings we shared and never forget you riding your bike on the grounds with your hard hat as a helmet. 

Chris (Muffin) White

I got to know Bong about 10 years ago with our first visit to BC.  Susan & I were delighted to meet up with her cousins who graciously opened their homes to us. Bong (or commonly known as Danny) was the epitome of the carefree happy-go-lucky person you would expect of the west coast. He lived his life in the carefree manner many of us would envy. He was creature of passionate artistic pursuits, friendly to anyone he would meet and such a great sense of humor. His peculiar judgment of time, whether self-directed at PlayLand or actively puttering around at all hours added to the mystique of his life being lived in the moment. He knew a lot of people, he knew them intimately and was sincerely generous to everyone he met.

We will sorely miss him but find comfort in the memories we have – we enjoyed great times! ….Rest in peace Danny, you will be forever in our minds. 

Condolences to Reg, and Sam family.

I didn't know him but any lose of a family Brit is a great loss.  He shows himself in his art work and he has very caring eyes.  I am so sorry for the loss of a gentle soul may he rest in peace.

Nos plus sincères condoléances de la part de Claude et moi. Repose en paix cher Dany et veilles bien sur tous les tiens qui te pleurent. Bon courage à Reg, Lorrain Jos et les autres de cette belle famille que j'ai connue trop peu longtemps. Lise.

Someone so caring and accepting of a young man who was so shy and so lost ... These were the first impressions I had of Danny. Someone that I'm truly proud to call a friend !!  He was so very giving, in every sense of the word, and kind, almost to a flaw. He's one of those people who leave an ever lasting mark on all that have crossed paths with him. You'll be dearly missed my friend, but not forgotten !!!        Love you ‘buds'                   Tony Branco

Someone so caring and accepting of a young man who was so shy and so lost ... These were the first impressions I had of Danny. Someone that I'm truly proud to call a friend !!  He was so very giving, in every sense of the word, and kind, almost to a flaw. He's one of those people who leave an ever lasting mark on all that have crossed paths with him. You'll be dearly missed my friend, but not forgotten !!!        Love you ‘buds'

Someone so caring and accepting of a young man who was so shy and so lost ... These were the first impressions I had of Danny. Someone that I'm truly proud to call a friend !!  He was so very giving, in every sense of the word, and kind, almost to a flaw. He's one of those people who leave an ever lasting mark on all that have crossed paths with him. You'll be dearly missed my friend, but not forgotten !!!        Love you ‘buds'                  
                                 Tony Branco

We had such a good time together. You made me laughing. I'm gonna miss you. 
Love you man.

Danny was one of the first people I came to know at The Railway Club through other "first" friends from those wonderful days. He was a gentle spirit with an incisive wit that crept up on you due to it's quiet delivery.

I have known Bong since the late 60's when he came to Toronto for a short visit but he ended up staying for years. I will always cherish his last year's visit to Toronto with Frank.  My thoughts go out to Reg and Bong's family.  Bong will be missed. 

Cousin Morris Young, wife Barbara

Danny's happy go lucky attitude made every body feel good when you talked to him he was a great guy. My condolences to his friend's and family.

I remember meeting Danny many years ago when he visited Seattle with Reg, Rob and Uncle Bob.  A good memory of a warm, gentle man.  Reg, so sorry to hear and know this is an enormous loss.  Take care, Cousin Susie McDonald in Seattle!

My thoughts go to Reg and family so sad to hear of Dannys passing I was blessed to have him as a friend and to have worked with him also you will be in our hearts forever RIP

Have known Danny since high school (quite the artist) We were saddened to hear recently that he was terminally ill and has now quickly passed. He was always a very friendly guy who greeted you with a "hello", smile and pleasant conversation. Our thoughts our with his family at this very sad time and please know that he will be missed.....Stan & Chris Wong.

So sad to hear of Bong's passing, Reg and Shirley - our thoughts are with you . . . 

John and Amy, Emiko and Kaya

I've known Danny since way back when... I was actually his paperboy for many years and a neighbor for 35+ years. He always gave a wave and a smile...a good person to know and have as a freind.     RIP      
Gino Pellizzari and family

The bamboo for prosperity,
The pine for long life,
The plum for courage – 
Why the plum for courage? –
because – the plum puts forth blossoms while the snow is still on the ground.

We are sorry for our loss. Bong was a man with a big heart and he will be missed and I am so happy to have known him. And it is so wonderful to know, he knows he was loved.

“Time” will heal.... and it's slow for some. May “time” be your best friend, and remember that Bong has faith that your despair will, in time, be replaced by the happy memories you've spent with him. Bong will be remembered as making our lives full. 

Yours sincerely,
Susan Young, Paul Wubbolts, Jonathan & Laura Bingham

OBITUARY

Danny Bong Sam

12 June, 1953 – 7 June, 2014

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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