Dr. Kwok-Ting Yue

DR. YUE KWOK-TING was born in Hong Kong on May 7, 1915 in Hong Kong. He was the eldest son among 8 children born to Dr. Yue Sai Mo, and Dr. Kwok Sui Cheong. Dr. Yue attended Wah Yan College in Hong Kong, then pursued medical studies at The Catholic University of Beijing, St. John¡¯s University in Shanghai, and Lingnan University in Guangzhou.

He once said he never knew a life without medicine, and watching his physician parents heal and comfort the sick motivated Dr. Yue from an early age to follow in their footsteps and spend nearly 60 years as a healer. It was not a life without challenges- his mother died when he was just 12, and his father met an untimely death during the final days of World War II . Dr. Yue then had to assume a role as the head of the family to provide for all his younger siblings and immediate relatives. After the war, Dr. Yue returned to Hong Kong and resumed his career. Along the way, he took up a number of leadership positions, including Superintendent at The Hong Kong Central Hospital.

Dr. Yue once told a Canadian journalist interviewing him for a news article that his father chose the name Kwok-ting because it literally means ¡°stabilize the country¡±. In the aftermath of World War II, his biggest wish was for a stable, safe and free home for his family, and he began to send his children abroad to study. Dr. Yue himself had done postgraduate work in Canada in the 1950¡¯s at the University of Toronto, and knew he would have peace of mind with his family here. Eventually, he made the difficult decision to give up a prosperous and prominent practice in Hong Kong, and in the 1960¡¯s, immigrated to Canada. He became a foundation among Hong Kong immigrants during the early days when Ottawa began to liberalise its policy toward naturalisation. Dr. Yue found plenty of demand for his medical skills here, and for nearly 30 more years, continued to heal, and counsel his patients, whom he considered his extended family.

As a medical professional, Dr. Yue knew the value of keeping active. Even into his early 80¡¯s he was active in sports, both as a participant and spectator. Throughout his career, he made time for a spirited match of tennis or a round of golf several times a week. He was particularly fond of golf, and played in a number of tournaments, one highlight of which was the Bob Hope Desert Classic.

Dr. Yue¡¯s generosity touched the lives of many people in other ways as well. He wasn¡¯t just a doctor, he was also an active leader in the community. As a member of the Asian Arts Society he was committed to cultural events that educate the public in history and art. In 1991, he was appointed as a Founding Member of the Advisory Council on Multiculturalism of British Columbia. The following year he received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada for his significant contributions to his community and fellow Canadians. Dr. Yue also held elected positions with the Chinese Cultural Center, where has was a former Chairman, as well as the Canadian Cancer Society, YMCA, and Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife Peggy, son Dr. Ping Yue and his fianc¨¦e Karen Shields, daughter Colleen and her husband Dr. Daniel Lo, daughter Kathleen and her husband Dr. Seck Chan, stepdaughter Vanessa Hanson and her husband Eric, and stepson Andrew Lai and his wife Helena. He will also be forever-cherished by eight loving grandchildren ¨C Michelle, Ronald, Sarah, Bernie, Kenny, Tony, Sai-Kit and Sai-Wing, sister Wendy and her husband Dr. Albert Leung, sisters-in-law Dr. K.C. Kwong, Betty Yue, Bettina Yue and many other relatives. His family is grateful to the physicians, nurses, other hospital staff who cared for him. The Yue family would like to particularly express its appreciation to the patient, gentle and loving private caregivers, Helen, Ann, Monica, Alice, and Rosa who spent many hours assisting him in the final months of his transition.

余國定醫生生平

余國定醫生祖藉廣東省台山縣，公元一九一五年出生於香港，兄弟姊妹共八人，余醫生的父母都是醫師，在中國有他們的私人醫院。余醫生繼承他父母的志願，在中國開始他一生接近六十年外科醫師的事業。第二次大戰發生，影晌了余醫生的業務，而在同期間他父親去世。作為長子成為一家之主，余醫生毅然負起養育他年輕弟妹及其他親屬的重大任務，大戰後，余醫生回到香港去發展他的業務，以卓越的成就再次成為醫學界的先導，且被任命為“香港港中分科醫院”院長，因兒女們漸長，且多留學外國，於是余醫生決定移民加拿大繼續他的醫務事業，且同時可就近照顧兒女們。在一九九零年稍後，余醫生則在半退休狀態下以醫務顧問的身份去繼續幫助病人。

余醫生一生慷慨仗義，多人因他的幫助而得益，他可說是一位真正的博愛主義者。余醫生不單是一位專業醫師，在社會上他亦是一位充滿活力的領導人物。一九九一年余醫生被任命為“卑詩省多元文化顧問委員會創辦委員”。翌年，余醫生憑著他對社會的重大貢獻，被頒發“加拿大立國125週年紀念”勳章。余醫生亦在中華文化中心、癌症學會、男青年會及獅子會被選擔任要職。

余醫生遺屬有妻子、一子、兩女、並有內外男女孫八人。於二零零三年十月四日在卑詩省，北溫哥華市，獅門醫院息勞歸主，享年八十八歲。余醫生遺屬對於余醫生在病期間，承蒙各醫師、護士、醫院醫務人員及各朋友之照顧及愛護，致以萬二分之感謝。

余醫生之離世，使吾人有無限之懷念，但對他卻永不會忘懷！