Mr. Theodore Theo Ting Horn Yee

Theodore Ting Horn Yee, or Theo to most, was born in Hoiping, Guangzhou, China on January 9, 1934. He was the oldest of six children born to Kam Chee and Wai Lan. At the age of 2, Theo and his mother, moved to the Fiji Islands. When he was 7, his parents thought it best that he return to China to learn Cantonese. Theo became fluent in three languages - English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Just before the communists took over China in 1949, Theo fled down to Australia and attended Trinity Grammar School to earn his high school diploma. Following high school, he earned his economics degree at the University of Sydney.

In 1958, Theo met Eva in Hong Kong and was smitten. After a whirlwind courtship, they married later that year on October 12. Theo and Eva soon moved back to Sydney, and started a family where Edmund, Marian, and Marilyn were born. For work, Theo helped manage the family’s Hewton Trading Company. Shortly after Marilyn was born, the family moved to Suva, Fiji where Theo took over his father’s role at the Kwong Tai Company. A few years later in 1971, Theo and Eva gave birth to Favian. As the political climate in Fiji became unstable in the mid 70s, the Yee family sold off their share of the Kwong Tai Company and immigrated to Canada.

About a year after moving to Vancouver, the Yee’s purchased Chow Produce where Theo managed the wholesale warehouse. It really was a family business. Along with several others from the Yee clan, Edmund was a forklift operator and Marian was the office clerk. In the mid 80’s, Theo and his step-cousin Jackson operated PK Trading, another holding company belonging to the Yee’s. In 1989, Theo retired as a successful businessman and helped mom follow her passion as a florist. Theo and Eva worked together at the flower shop everyday until they gave it up a decade later to help mind their grandchildren James, Dylan, and Sean.

Theo loved and was committed to Eva. It wasn’t just marital commitment. He was committed to making her happy and comfortable. If it was important to Eva, it became important to him. Theo and Eva were happily married for 59 years, and even in his last days, he continually kept an eye out for Eva and her well-being. Theo was also committed to his family. His life legacy was to provide for them. Theo was committed to the success of all his children and provided for each of them to attend post-secondary school. As a result, they all have their careers to thank him for.

Marian, Marilyn and Favian each have warm-hearted childhood memories of their father. These memories exemplify Theo's patience and drive for his children to do well. Marian fondly remembers her father taking her and Edmund down to the tennis club where he patiently taught them techniques of the sport. Marilyn affectionately remembers a time when Theo taught her to get over her fear of water. While the parenting police today may have issues with his approach, Theo knew how to get results. He realized Marilyn wasn’t progressing, so he cleverly threw her into the deep end to show her that those water wings actually do work. Marilyn can now swim without water wings. One of Favian's early memories of Theo was the day he brought him to the driving range and surprised him with a set of specially sized golf clubs. With Theo's coaching, Favian was able to drive that little ball straight towards the 100 yard marker…and on most days he still can. In all his children's efforts, Theo often expressed his pride with that gleeful smile.

Theo also enjoyed taking his family on vacations. There are a couple that stand out. One was the trip to Campbell River where Theo had chartered a fishing boat. The sea was angry that day, and the entire family suffered from motion sickness. There was no fish to show for their struggles. If fact, the one tiny fish that was caught, someone vomited on the poor thing. Our last major vacation was in 2013 when the entire family, including all four of his grandchildren, enjoyed a cruise up to Alaska. These and many others are all precious moments that Theo's family will treasure.

Sport was a big part of Theo's life. As a young man, he played wing on the high school rugby team, and at university he participated on the varsity fencing team sparring with the épée. Theo was quite an athlete in his formative years. It’s no wonder all his children were involved in sports at school. As a married man in Australia, Theo took up tennis and when he moved back to Fiji, he joined the tennis club and played religiously. He had hoped that his children would gain a love for racquet sports – which Marian and Edmund did. Shortly before arriving in Canada, golf became Theo's life long passion. He often practiced his swing in the kitchen and this drove Mom crazy. This is the main reason he bought that house across the street from a golf course. There were many weekends where Theo, Edmund and Favian would take off for a round together. This was Theo's own sneaky way of skirting around having to ask Mom her permission. In more recent times, Theo looked forward to joining Favian and his friends in their summer rounds of golf. It was always a full day affair driving down to Surrey, Lynden, Bellingham, or Semiahmoo for a game. It often followed with a BBQ at Cec’s house with all the guys. Theo really cherished the camaraderie and great times they all had together and Favian was so glad to have shared this special time with him.

Theo was a devout sports fan. At one point, he was a simultaneous season ticket holder for the BC Lions, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Canucks. In the end, the Canucks gave him a memorable experience when they honoured him at a game for being a faithful fan for almost forty years. Because of his affinity for sports, Theo also enjoyed watching his grandsons in their sporting activities – James and Dylan with their soccer and Sean with his ice hockey. Theo, or Goong to the boys, loved his grandsons so very much and they meant the world to him. He was certainly a proud grandfather who affectionately expressed his admiration of them to friends and family.

In his last three months, Theo resided at the Lakeview Care Centre because he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Eva visited him daily to keep him company and engage him in conversation. Certain events reminds us that Theo also had a mischievous side. He and his roommate, Liu quickly became friends at Lakeview. They were infamously known to everyone there as schemers on how to leave the care home. Theo was so clever that he figured out that pulling the fire alarm would unlock all the exits. As a result, warnings were posted all over the home to be vigilant of these two characters. Despite his and Liu’s antics, all the care staff loved Theo's infectious laughter and agreeable nature. Theo sure knew how to leave with a bang.

In early December of 2017, Theo was finding it difficult to breath. He was admitted into Vancouver General Hospital on December 16 where the medical team helped to alleviate the difficulties he had with his failing lungs. Theo suffered from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Scar tissue was advancing and this made breathing more laboured as it diminished the efficiency of the oxygen intake. After a week long battle with this sudden but not unexpected onset, Theo succumbed to IPF at 6:40 AM on December 22, 2017. He passed away peacefully with Favian at his side.

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YEE, Theodore Ting Horn

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Theodore, our much loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, on December 22, 2017 at Vancouver General Hospital. He is pre-deceased by his son Edmund (May), his brother Edward, and sister Dulcie (Joe). Theodore is lovingly remembered by his wife Eva, daughters Marian and Marilyn (Bruce); son Favian (Pauline); and by his four wonderful grandchildren Cameron, James, Sean and Dylan. Theodore also leaves behind his sisters Lai (Ramesh), Yum, and Clarice (Elliott); step-cousin Jackson (Ruth) and numerous nephews and nieces. After a life in China, Hong Kong, Australia and Fiji, Theodore and his family moved to Canada and settled here in Vancouver. After arriving in Vancouver, Theodore and the Yee family purchased and operated a wholesale produce supplier in Chinatown. One of Theodore’s favourite pastimes is the Vancouver Canucks, of whom he was a devout season ticket holder for almost 40 years. Theodore also followed his love for golf and moved into a home across the street from the Fraserview Golf Course. He spent many hours there on the golf course or at the driving range working on his swing. Theodore’s family would like to thank all the staff in the Emergency Room and Respiratory Ward at Vancouver General Hospital and they give special thanks to all the loving and caring staff at Lakeview Care Centre. A viewing will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 7PM at Ocean View Funeral Home and a celebration of life will be held back at Ocean View Funeral Home on December 31, 2017, at 11AM. A Chinese reception will be held afterwards at 2PM at Golden Swan Restaurant 5380 Victoria Dr, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC or the BC Cancer Foundation.

http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/bc/Get-involved/Ways-to-donate

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/donate