Jack War Kang

Jack War Kang was born in Chiang Keong, Zhongshan, China on Dec. 20 1924. His parents were Luin Hee Kwan and Sam Moi Lum. He had four brothers, Peter Bing Hoi Kang, Richard Bing Kong Kang, Henry Bing Yen Kang and Bing Kai Kang and three sisters, Kin Ying Kang, Kin Jun Kang and Kin Yung Kang.

Due to political instability and family obligations, he left China in 1939 for the South Pacific and settled in the thriving entreport of Levuka, the former capital of Fiji. It was there on the island of Ovalau where he set his “roots”. He was optimistic in his outlook on life; he was raised to be accepting of others, and to implement a strong personal work ethic. He learned to adapt to a new environment, learned a new language and integrated himself into a completely new culture. His creativity and inquisitiveness instilled in him the foundation to be a survivor. There was little opportunity, due to financial hardship, for him to develop his academic qualifications; he had only six months of formal education to learn English and the local Fijian vernacular. He was obligated to learn a trade to support himself and to remit funds to assist his siblings in China. With the absence of access to modern technology and resources such as electricity, gasoline and fuel and other infrastructure, he resorted to utilizing local resources. Examples of his creativity would be how he harvested mangrove trees along the Ovalau coast to heat the brick oven that was used to bake bread, as well as using a large wooden trough to mix flour, yeast and water to make dough. Manual labour, without mechanical equipment, was used to make the dough to be shaped into loaves. There were no calculators or adding machines; he resorted to using the abacus for counting, a skill he learnt during his elementary school days in China. It was in Jack’s nature to adapt to new challenges, especially in a town with a limited supply of electricity. Jack was also involved making concrete blocks to construct his concrete building in Levuka. To increase his source of revenue, Jack would create other entrepreneurial ventures and projects, such as raising pigs and chicken to supply his butchery; cultivated vegetables to market to the local community; growing bean-sprouts for customers seeking alternative sources of vegetables. He was not only resourceful, he was creative and innovative. He made his own ice cream/popsicles to sell in his grocery store. No challenge was too big; he was self-taught and independent. In his retirement years, he continued to share his creativity with his friends and family. He would develop his own recipes to make beef jerky, sun-dried banana jerky, steamed buns, homemade kimchi, and egg noodles. His horizons and hobbies also extended to gardening. He blended his interest of flowers and plants and incorporated them into his own health conscious life-style, such as gathering honey suckle blossoms and peony petals to brew tea, and to make his own salads. He truly was a “Jack Of All Trades”.

His strong work ethic to provide for his family revealed his entrepreneurial skills and creativity; yet, despite his dedication to his work, Jack also found time for family life, as well as contributing to community work. On November 14, 1948, Jack exchanged wedding vows with Gen You Lee at the Levuka Town Hall of Island of Ovalau, Fiji Islands. Together, they were blessed with four children: two sons, Wing and John, and two daughters, Elayne and Elizabeth. The children provided Jack and Gen You with ten grandchildren: Andrew, Anthony, Brenton, Grace, Jeffrey Justin, Matthew, Meghan, Michelle and Samantha.

On October 10th, 1970, Fiji Islands gained Independence from Great Britain. On that significant day, Jack was asked to represent the Chinese community by presenting a speech. At that time, Jack was serving as a member of the Levuka Town Council. When Fiji celebrated its 25th anniversary of Independence, Jack was invited again to help with the celebratory preparation. He sent various archival items (pictures, stories and written speeches), which the Fiji Government placed in its museum for historical display. His contribution was acknowledged by the Fijian government for his interest in promoting Fiji Islands.

Jack and his family left the shores of Fiji Islands for Vancouver, Canada in 1971. When Jack arrived, he continued his involvement with community affairs, and he eagerly participated in various community fundraising events. In retirement, he found new pleasure in volunteering in various Vancouver Chinatown associations, contributing his time in socializing and fundraising events. For many years, he served as a director in several Chinese community societies and associations. He received a recognition award from the former Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen and the Chinatown Merchant Associations for his continuous dedication and, extended effort towards promoting Vancouver Chinatown.

Jack enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He used this creativity toward all of his pastimes, such as priming and presenting his plants and flowers as a piece of artwork to be appreciated. His favourite pursuits include photography, Chinese calligraphy, and composing and reciting Chinese poetry. His poetic composition and articulate expression has inspired not only his family, but all who had the opportunity to read them. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone, but was also willing to share his interests with others. Jack was very loyal with his friendships as he maintained contacts with his distant family members and friends annually, by way of letters, and by daily phone communications locally.

Jack held close traditional values, and as a result, faith was important to him. During his time at the Brock Fahrni Pavilion Long Term Care Facility, he enjoyed the weekly church services.

Jack’s natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included winning first prize for a photograph taken during an annual SUCCESS fundraising event "Walk with a Dragon". In 1994, Jack won second prize in the Vancouver Senior Chinese Poetry Recital Competition-Cantonese and won third prize in 1997.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Jack wholeheartedly enjoyed. His favourite vacations included an Alaskan Cruise with with his wife, children and grandchildren, a Caribbean cruise, a road trip to Disneyland in California, and trips across the Rockies to Edmonton, Alberta. During his travels, he sought to rekindle friendships with visits to Fiji and Australia. He spent time visiting family in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. He also enjoyed land tours of Niagara Falls, New York and Spokane.

During Jack’s retirement, he not only volunteered with the Chinese community, he also spent a great deal of time with the grandchildren. His character of resiliency and perserverance was admirable to all. He was able to easily adapt to changes, and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed, even during his residency at Brock Fahrni Pavilion Long Term Care Facility.

Jack passed away on August 9, 2012 at Vancouver General Hospital, after enduring eleven years of haemodialysis due to renal failure. Services were held at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Jack was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia.

He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it, and was very content with the legacy he left behind. This is how everyone will remember Jack War Kang.

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KANG, Jack War

December 20 1924 - August 9, 2012

Jack passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family who deeply loved him. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Gen You, children Elayne (Longunn), Wing (Donna), John (Bernadette), Elizabeth (Winston), and blessed with ten grandchildren Brenton, Justin, Jeffrey, Grace, Michelle, Samantha, Anthony, Andrew, Matthew, Meghan, and many family and friends. He was born in Canton, China, moved to Fiji in 1939, and later immigrated to Canada in 1971. Jack had a passion for gardening and poetry, and was actively involved with the Chinese communities. He was loved by many and will be sadly missed. Thank you to all the staff at Vancouver General Hospital, Brock Fahrni Pavillion, SN Transport, and UBC Hospital Koerner Pavillion for their excellent care and compassion. We would like to especially acknowledge the nurses, physicians and staff at the VGH Hemodialysis Unit. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 11:30 am. at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel 1835 East Hastings, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch, or the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.