Mervyn Anthony Cheng

Mervyn Anthony Cheng (92), from North Delta, British Columbia, passed away in his home on the morning of June 17, 2023. He was born October 9, 1930 in Reform Village, Trinidad & Tobago. Mervyn was the eldest of nine children; he was one of six brothers and three sisters.

Mervyn attended La Salle College in Hong Kong, an all boys secondary school, where lessons are taught in English. Mervyn was employed by the Hong Kong government in the Urban Service Department as a Public Health Inspector for many years. Eventually, he was drawn to the financial industry, where he sought more opportunities to advance his career. Beginning as a trainee, he quickly rose to manager. He specialized in insurance; ran an office, and was in charge of sales, recruitment, and training.

Mervyn was married twice. He had three sons from his first marriage. After the divorce, he remained a responsible father, paid child support and adhered to visitation rights. Later, Mervyn met Mona, and they married in 1966. They had two children and lived in Hong Kong for a short period of time before immigrating to Canada in 1973.

A supportive and loving father, Mervyn mostly raised and cared for his daughter and son while Mona worked outside the home. It was fortunate for the family that flexible work hours allowed him to drive his children to school, shop for groceries, pack their lunches, and prepare family dinners.

Mervyn, a devoted father, taught his children card games, helped them with their homework, and showed them how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. He spent long hours running alongside them, holding the back of their bicycle until his children were confident enough to ride on their own. He was there to give praise during swimming lessons and attended all teacher-student school interviews. He even confronted a child bully, and immediately ceased the torment.

Mervyn was a voracious reader; a lifelong magazine subscriber to Newsweek, Maclean and Chatelaine. In addition to running a household, Mervyn studied intensively, maintaining his professional credentials. One huge accomplishment was successfully obtaining his Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) designation - the gold standard of life insurance professionals and insurance planning. While most seniors avoided technology, Mervyn embraced it, learning all he can on his own. In the 1980’s, he was likely the first in line to purchase a personal computer and to obtain access to dial-up internet. Mervyn enjoyed his daily morning swims at the local recreation swimming pool; he kept at it, up until he was physically unable to continue. A lover of sweet foods, Mervyn, indeed, desired chocolates, ice-cream, and all varieties of fruits, satisfying his sweet-tooth cravings. He was a master at paring fruits; his skillful technique resulted in the thinnest fruit peel ever.

Mervyn was a man of few words; however, if one was lucky enough to have been his friend, one would have discovered the wonderful qualities of an extremely generous and kind man. He was very proud of his children and granddaughters. His granddaughters gave “Gong Gong”, as they would call him, much joy and he was always delighted to see them during regular Sunday family visits.

Mervyn was predeceased by his son Neil, who recently passed, his brother, Joseph, and his sisters, Eva and Dorothy.

Mervyn is survived by his wife, Mona, daughter, Maureen (Stig), granddaughters, Krista and Erika…...sons, Michael, Andy (Sandra), Christopher…..siblings, Wyatt (Theresa), Edward (Jeannette), Winston (Angela), Wilfred (Sharon), Ekam(Luciano-deceased)…… and the countless numbers of nephews and nieces around the world.

Viewing with immediate family - Monday, June 26, 2023.

Urn Interment - TBA

Celebration of Life - virtually via ZOOM - TBA (Please contact [email protected] beginning August 1, 2023 for link.)

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a registered charitable organization of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsurrey.com for the Cheng family.