Dannie Wing Fong

FONG, Dannie — Aged 85, passed away on May 28th, 2010, in QEII Health Sciences Centre, of ALS. He was born in Campbellton, N.B., one of the earliest Canadian-born Chinese-Canadians in all of Atlantic Canada. His father, Mon Ding Fong, came to Canada to join his older brother, who came here in 1896, the first Chinese to settle in this part of the country. Dannie spent his early youth in New Brunswick, and like many of his generation survived the Great Depression with a profound understanding of the value of the dollar and the virtue of hard work and scientific curiosity. In his youth, he lost a lung to tuberculosis, but soldiered on for seven more decades, moving to Halifax in his teens, attending Queen Elizabeth High School, before earning his engineering and undergraduate degrees. He retained a fondness for his alma mater, Dalhousie University, throughout his life. For many years, Dannie worked in the aerospace industry in the United States. You have probably flown in airplanes which Dannie had a hand in designing, (among them the Boeing 747). He was also an avid genealogist, and traced his family line back many generations, a feat no other family member has ever attempted. He loved to play guitar and was eager to help others of his generation master the complexities of computing. He was an enthusiastic skier, and equestrian. He enjoyed archery and riding his motor bike. Dannie's strong character and determination will no doubt stir nostalgic memories for many years to come among his many nephews and nieces, who he met often at family dinners and get-togethers. He is survived by his brothers, Dow (Sharon), Mone (Dorée), William (Brenda), George (Shirley), and sisters, Jean Seto, Kay (Monty) Ali, and Annie (Al) Jones. He was predeceased by siblings, Sam, Ernie, May and Eileen. Dannie has been cremated. A visitation/memorial service will be held in Cruikshanks Halifax Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 9, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A private family burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of his tremendous fondness for his alma mater, donations may be made to Dalhousie University or The ALS Society of Canada. To place an on-line message of condolence, please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com