Mr. Man On Lui

LUI, Man On Mr. Man On Lui passed away peacefully at the Foothills Hospital, in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the blessed age of 92 years. In 1949, Lui married Wan Kwei Ng. They moved to Hong Kong and had 2 girls, Mary and May. In 1955, he immigrated to Canada ahead of his family, sponsored by his Auntie and Uncle Gar Wing Lui (Sim and Suk). Lui lived in a boarding house, took ESL classes, and worked for a couple of years as a dishwasher/cook at the Langevin Restaurant. Lui saved everything he could and invested $4400 to buy a half interest in the Cecil Coffee Shop in 1958. Two years later, he bought his partner’s share of the restaurant and in May 1960, Wan and their 2 daughters moved to Calgary. The family business was hectic especially for the young family, with Lui and Wan starting at 5:00 a.m. every day. They made everything from scratch; including donuts, butterhorns, cinnamon buns, pies, French fries, the daily soup and daily specials. That meant early mornings and late nights, working hard. Lunchtime lineups used to stretch out the door and around the corner as the family fed workers from Hook Signs, Mutual Movers, Loomis, Liquid Nitrogen, Alberta Poultry, Glenmore Boats, the Calgary Dog Pound, Alpha Dairies, Maytag Appliances and Calgary families coming down on Calgary Stampede Parade day. They lived in the tiny apartment above the restaurant, making it a bit easier for the long working hours and taking breaks. Lui and Wan had 3 more children, Nancy, Perry and Betty growing the family to 7 people. Supporting a family of 7 was no easy task, but Lui was always able to take the family on outings, such as Banff, St. George’s Island (Calgary Zoo), Bowness Park and Happy Valley, on Sundays after the restaurant closed at 2:00 p.m. He loved his family very much and supported going to school assemblies and graduations, celebrating festivities such as Christmas and birthdays. In 1971, Lui and Wan saved up enough money and took the whole family back to China and Hong Kong to visit relatives that they hadn’t seen for years, taking a side trip to Japan. It was an epic trip for the whole family, a trip of a lifetime. Lui and Wan owned and operated the Cecil Coffee Shop for 35 years. They retired on October 1, 1992 with Lui and Wan helping to raise grandchildren. Lui enjoyed fishing at the community lake and travelling with the family. They travelled extensively to China, Indonesia, Europe, the United States, Australia and the Caribbean; and sailed on dozens of cruises, often with the entire family. Lui was extensively involved in the Calgary Chinese community, as he was a member of 5 associations: Sue Yuen Benevolent Association of Calgary, Wu Yi Association of Calgary, Hong Kong Chinese Immigrant Association of Calgary, Hoy Sun Association of Calgary and Eng/Ng Affinity Association of Calgary. He loyally served as the Treasurer of the Sue Yuen Association for over 30 years and travelled as far as China to attend international conferences, representing the Calgary contingency. Man On Lui leaves behind his wife, Wan Kwei; his children, Mary and Ken Yee, May and Gary Yee, Nancy and Manley Yuen, Perry and Rita Lui, Betty and Danny Gow; his grandchildren, Tammy and Wylie Diegel, Kevin and Joanne Yee, Jennifer and Seward Pon, Brian Yee, Elizabeth, Madelaine, Rebecca and Rachel Yuen, Madison and Darrien Lui, Brandon, Bradley, Brett and Danielle Gow; and his great-grandchildren, Taylor and Tristan Diegel, Jordan, Jayden and Kendall Yee, Kenzie, Gabrielle and Brodie Pon. “Dad we miss you so much. We miss your talks and wise advice, your clever jokes, interesting stories and fun folk songs. You loved us so much and you never held back, taking little for yourself. We love you so much Dad. Do you hear us Dad? Thank you and thank you Dad. Take good care until we meet again.” Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at a Visitation held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will also be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca