Danny Bong Sam

      Danny Bong Sam was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Danny Bong will be remembered as a very exceptional and generous person.

      Danny Bong was born on June 12, 1953 at Mount St. Joseph's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was the son of Linda Sam and Sam Shew Ying. Danny Bong grew up in Chinatown, Vancouver, B.C.

      Danny Bong was raised with three siblings. He had one older brother, Frank and two sisters, Shirley and Annie. He and his siblings experienced all the challenges typical of a growing family and they shared many life experiences over the years.

      As a young boy, Danny Bong had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. In his spare time he liked comic books, baseball cards and LP records. Danny Bong's memorable achievements included learning to juggle and ride a unicycle. However, to Danny Bong, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

      As a teenager, Danny Bong had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favourite subjects and teachers. His favourite class in high school was art.

      Fortunately, Danny Bong enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Danny Bong worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was as a graphic artist. He was employed for many years at the Playland Amusement Park at the Pacific National Exhibition and loved being called a "Carnie". Danny Bong always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Danny Bong enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favourite pursuits were signwriting, listening to music and playing music as a rock and roll drummer. His musical tastes were eclectic ranging from Art and Glam Rock to Garage Rock and beyond. He was also a roller hockey goalie and a baseball player (shortstop). He became a unicyclist, a juggler, a musicologist, and an avid movie critic specializing in "Turner Classic Movies". He was content to enjoy his favourite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Danny Bong found "extraordinary pleasure" in sports. He loved hockey, hockey, hockey, more hockey and baseball. He was an enthusiastic armchair quarterback but also loved to play the game. He was a roller hockey goalie at the Starlight Arena playing on Sunday mornings for many years always choosing hockey over getting 8 hours of sleep.

 Danny Bong enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favourite vacations included Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Thailand, and Europe. He also enjoyed a family trip to China in 2000.

      Danny Bong was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. He was a great dog dad to Layla and Shyla, his two naughty Border Collies. He enjoyed spoiling them with great abandon and countless treats. His feline family was rounded out by his cat named Sam (a kitty of the 70's) followed by Kato Kat, Mousie Tung, and Scooter.

      Simply stated, Danny Bong was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. He leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Danny Bong Sam.

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SAM, Danny Bong

1953 - 2014

Danny passed peacefully on June 7, 2014 with his best friend and life partner Reg by his side. Bong is survived by Reg, mother Linda, brother Frank (Lynn), sisters Shirley and Annie (William), and his beloved furry family Shyla, Kato, Scooter and Mousie Tung. Danny is, and will be, truly missed by his nieces, nephews, extended family, lifelong friends and his Playland and PNE colleagues. A Service will be held on June 17, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Reception at Forest Lawn Chapel, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. A special thank you to the caring and compassionate professionals at the B.C. Cancer Agency and St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the B.C. Cancer Agency would be appreciated.