Ali Kalie Lam

Love overflows like a fount for our Kalie—husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, relation, and friend—who lived a life of compassion and sacrificial giving. Kalie was born in Medan, Indonesia on November 29, 1934. He shared an incredible legacy with “his Kwok Sau,” reaching the rare height of 70 years of love, laughter, and tears. They celebrated their sapphire jubilee wedding anniversary on October 17, two weeks prior to Kalie’s passing on October 31, 2024 at Madera Villa Residential Care.

Kalie strongly valued education, prioritizing his children's education above all else. He and his wife migrated from Indonesia to Hong Kong in 1967 to seek better education for his eight children, though this decision cost him his previous well-off life. His relentless pursuit of this dream compelled him to sell his factory in Hong Kong and migrate to the United States in 1976, embracing a life as a factory worker so that all his children would have the opportunity to obtain higher education. Thanks to Kalie’s selflessness and sacrifice, all of his eight children and fourteen grandchildren have accomplished his dreams for them.

Kalie’s generosity extended beyond his family. Throughout his life in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the United States, he often opened his home for months at a time to not only friends, but friends of friends who needed a place to stay and a home-cooked meal. His wife, Kwok Sau, has always described him as “a good man with no vices and a generous heart.” Kalie’s heart of compassion and giving toward the marginalized and vulnerable lives on today in his children and grandchildren, and the charitable work they do.

One of Kalie’s passions in life was cooking. As he had no formal culinary education, he taught himself to cook by standing near Hong Kong’s open-air dai pai dongs and watching the chefs. Once he grew comfortable in the kitchen, he cooked constantly in his free time, making food for his family and friends and spending every weekend cooking for either the children at Golden Sage Monastery or the houseless people at San Jose downtown. He took delight in watching his loved ones relish his food, often insisting they eat first, saying, “Watching you all enjoy my cooking brings me joy!” His friends and family loved his food and the love and happiness it brought. Kalie’s hot sauce was especially popular, with friends even placing orders with him for extra bottles!

Kalie was predeceased by his father, Pak Chong Lam, and his mother, Ah Fan Yeung. He is survived by his wife, Kwok Sau; eight children—six daughters and two sons—and their spouses; fourteen grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Kalie’s family invites you to join them in remembering and celebrating his life at Sunshine Chapel in Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, at 10:00 AM for casket viewing and 11:00 AM for the funeral service.

Donation in lieu of floral tributes are for Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and are to be sent to 1100 S. Valley Center Ave., San Dimas, CA91773. Account # 50123306, Account name is Kwok San Ho Lam in loving memory of Ali Kalie Lam.