Shue Wing Wong

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shue Wing Wong. Born in Han Mee, China, he came to Canada in 1953 to join his father who immigrated years earlier. His first jobs in Canada were working in restaurants as a waiter, after that he went on to work on vegetable farms in the Musqueam area of Vancouver while he saved up to start his own farm. He wed Sow Hing Wong in 1959 and they had 5 children - Irene (Mike - Spencer, Jackson) , Josephine (Glen - Katrina, Brad) , Gordon (Selina - Melissa, Melanie, Marcus, Melia) , Grover (Adele - Adam, Cameron, Natalie) and Bobby (Patty - Cassandra). In 1970, the family moved to South Burnaby and started their vegetable farm on Marine Drive, working long hours. In 1974 they started the Wing Wong Farm roadside stand, selling local produce and bedding plants long before produce stores existed. The Wing Wong Nursery is still operated today at the same location by his children. He worked long hours on the vegetable farm selling produce to Kelly Douglas for Super Valu, and to MacDonald’s Consolidated for Safeway. He loved having large Mah Jong parties in smoke filled rooms with Johnnie Walker pouring freely. In the off season he enjoyed travelling with his farming friends, many of whom belonged to the Zhongsan Allied Association, as did he . As time went along, he loved going out to eat at the Chinese greasy spoons, and would always drop off food at his children’s houses for the grandkids as after school snacks. The family home/farm became the gathering point for large feasts where he would brighten up when his 12 grandkids came to see him and Po Po. Any excuse would do to hold a gathering. Canadian Holiday traditions like Christmas brunch, Chinese Holidays like Chinese New Years, Birthdays, and newborn celebrations all qualified. In the later years, he stepped back from the day to day operations to become an ambassador preferring to meet & talk with customers allowing his children to run the business. He lived a full life and stayed true to his South Burnaby farming roots. The successful family business, which he and his wife started and expanded to include real estate holdings, is where his children and grandchildren got their first work experience. His last few days were spent at Royal Columbian Hospital with all his children, grandchildren and their partners gathered in his hospital room beside him, having dinner and sharing stories, just like they did at home. His fun loving spirit, sense of humour, and laughter, along with his devotion to family will be remembered and missed! The family would like to thank ABC Home Support Services for their excellent care and the Renal Unit at the Royal Columbian Hospital, especially Dr. Daniel Schwartz for his extraordinary care which helped him live much longer than anyone expected. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is appreciated.