Henry Haney Yee Yiu Ho, was born on November 10, 1936 in Enping, Guangdong, China to Suey Ying Ho and Ping Kam Chang. In the small village of Jook Wai, he attended Gnum Moy Elementary School and Ying Jong High School. As a kid, he enjoyed all sports especially basketball. Growing up during WWII, while the Japanese invaded China, was a very difficult time for Henry and his mother, so he always longed for a better life in Canada. Henry's father and grandfather had already been working in Vancouver, BC, but passed away before he was able to immigrate here in 1951. With some help from his brother Jack, Henry came to Vancouver at the age of 15. Henry had great tenacity and he enrolled himself into King George High School. He was determined to study hard and learn English well. While studying, he was also supporting himself and sending money back home to his mother in China. It was in King George High School grade 13 Chemistry class that Henry met the love of his life Virginia Soke Ean Wong. And as they say, the rest is history...
Henry eventually went on to attend UBC studying Chemistry and Zoology. During this time, Henry and Virginia were wed in 1960. One year later, their first child Benny was born. In 1962, Henry graduated from UBC and he held 3 jobs to support his family. His main employment was with the Federal Government as a chemist testing food and drugs which he did for 35 years. 11 years after Benny was born, Henry and Virginia welcomed their 2nd child Deanna and 2 years later Anita came along.
Besides work, Henry developed a passion for golf and he would spend hours everyday at the driving range trying to perfect his swing. He had interests in history, volunteer work, spending time with mom, listening to Chinese radio, watching his favorite TV news and golf channels and eating Chinese Dim Sum, especially the sweets. Henry was always humble, intelligent, hardworking, polite, generous, loyal and soft-spoken.
After immigrating to Canada, Henry always remembered his roots. He would send money back to his village and schools that he attended in China. He also became very involved in the Yin Ping Association Committee and the Ying Jong High School Alumni. He volunteered his time helping new immigrants with their paperwork and helping them to adjust to a new life in Canada.
Unfortunately in 1997, Henry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer in the stomach which caused him to retire from the gov't and decrease his volunteer work. Luckily, he was able to battle cancer and win. However, Henry suffered a mini stroke in 2010 that slowed him down significantly. And in 2014, Henry was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Henry had a difficult medical history, but with his loving wife Virginia tending and caring for him, he was able to endure until the age of 81. On April 10, 2018 at Mt St Joseph Hospital, Virginia was by his side when Henry left to be with our Lord and Savior. He leaves behind one son Benny (wife Tracey), two daughters Deanna & Anita and two grandsons Tyler & Justin. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC where a funeral service will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 12:30pm. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Burial Park, Burnaby, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Joseph Hospital, Parkinson's Society of BC, Canadian Cancer Society or Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GlenhavenMemorialChapel.com for the Ho family.
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