Leslie Albert Chung

I am his wife Hyacinth (Cherry) Chung

Leslie was my husband of 66+ years. He was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica. We met when we were 15 years old, 71 years ago, and we have been together ever since. Sharing a lifetime of love and happiness. Leslie and his male friends would be on an upstairs veranda overlooking the street, watching me every day as I walked down the little road. Of all the boys, Leslie caught my eye and I would wonder why he was watching me.

At 4 pm Monday to Friday, our group of Chinese friends would go to the Chinese Club to hang out and play sports such as tennis, ping pong, badminton, and basketball. Our romance blossomed as we fell in love and became boyfriend and girlfriend.

Leslie would tow me on his bicycle when we left the Chinese Club to take me home. He would visit me at my Aunt's home in the evenings.

We were always together, doing things with the Chinese group, such as the movies, beach, row a boat anchor in the ocean and swim, and basketball trips to other towns. Leslie was very good at sports. I have very fond memories of having jerk pork with him at Boston Beach.

In 1957 after just graduating high school, Leslie moved to Kingston, Jamaica to work at the prestigious Royal Bank of Canada, to further his career. I followed him shortly after, so that we could be together. We got married in Kingston on July 27, 1958. By May 1973, we had five beautiful children: Andrew, Kirk, Dean, Claudine, and Tamara. By then, Leslie's career had blossomed and he was a bank manager at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

In 1976, Leslie made the decision to give up his career and life in Jamaica, for a better life for his wife and family, and we moved to Miami and started our lives over. Our eldest was 17 years old and the youngest was only 3 years old.

Leslie and I made a new home for our family in Miami, and have been in the same home near to FIU since then, with no regrets as we have lived the American dream, and watched our children go on to become examples of the American Immigrant Success Story.

Leslie loved me so very very much, so much more than words can say. He was always looking out for me and wanted to be beside me when taking pictures, going out for dinner, etc., showing how attached he was to me.

I love and miss Leslie so much as he will always be my one and only true love forever.

Rest in Peace my Dear Love, Leslie.

Leslie Albert Chung

Born and raised in Port Antonio, Jamaica and his parents are Charley and Lily Chung Quee. Leslie was the youngest of three siblings. His sister, Daisy, passed away in 1974 and his brother, Victor, passed away in 2010. Dad dearly loved and missed his brother and sister and would often reminisce about their times together.

Dad was an active soccer and basketball player in his younger years. He was a cadet and graduated from Titchfield High School in 1957. After graduation, Dad taught at Titchfield High School for a short time, then proceeded to work in the banking industry and married mom. They would go motoring around in their Mini Minor car. Eventually they moved to Kingston, Jamaica, where he worked his way up to bank manager in 1975. Due to social unrest and governmental insecurity, he took his wife and five children and migrated to Miami in 1976. Dad gave up a very comfortable life and a great career and house so that his family could start a new life in Miami that would be safer for his family and offer the best opportunities for his children. His brother-in-law, George Chin, housed the family when we migrated to Miami.

Soon after, Uncle George and Dad bought a small Chinese restaurant in Medley named San Pan, where the families labored together for the next 2+ years. The days were long, and work was heavy as a restauranteur. After San Pan was sold, Dad and Mom ventured into the ice cream business and became the owners of Felber’s Ice Cream Parlor on Bird Road, for the next few years.

Then, as a humble man going back to what he knew best, Dad went back into banking, starting over, as a bank teller. He loved his job and had many customers that would seek him out when at the bank. In order to fully support his family, Dad took a second job as a clerk at a local convenience store, working the two jobs for 10 years. Dad always worked hard to give his family the best that he could.

Dad looked forward to vacation cruising and road trips, as a break from the long hours that he worked, so that he could relax and eat seafood. He longed for the day of retirement, which came with a limousine escort to the bank on his final day of work in 2006. Dad loved retirement and did what he loved most, which was being a foodie and watching Bonanza, Star Trek, James Bond, and other oldies. Dad loved playing tennis with his family. He also loved watching tennis, especially Roger Federer.

Dad dearly loved his wife, his children, his grandies - and his food. We will miss our Dad. Loved by his dear wife: Hyacinth; children: Andrew, Kirk, Dean, Claudine, and Tamara; nephew: Donovan; niece: Natalie; daughters in law: Maira and Helene; son in law: Hal; grandchildren: Brandon, Stefan, Nicole, Leah, Nathan, and Karis; grandson in law: JP; and great grandchildren: Madelyn, Gabriel, and Micah. We love you Dad and Thank You for being the kind, gentle, and loving man that you were, and the best father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and husband that anyone could ask for. You will live on in our memories of you forever!