Tingwa Tung

July 18, 1932 - January 23, 2025

Dear family and friends,

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Tingwa Tung (童定华) on January 23, 2025, at his home in Southbury, CT, surrounded by the love of his family. Tingwa lived an extraordinary 92 years, a life filled with joy, love, and strong connections with his family and friends. His kindness, enduring spirit, boundless warmth and laughter left an indelible impression on all who met him.

Tingwa was born on July 18, 1932, in Shanghai, China, to his late parents Tong Shuyung (童书鋆) and Xia Yueying (夏悦婴). The second of four siblings, he is preceded in death by his brother Tong Yaohua (童耀华) of Hong Kong, China, and is survived by his brothers Tong Haohua (童镐华) of Los Angeles, CA, and Tong Jiahua (童建华) of Shanghai, China.

Tingwa was born and raised in Shanghai and pursued higher education at Dalian Maritime University (大连海运学院) in Dalian, China where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Navigation. Driven by his passion for the sea, he embarked on a distinguished career with COSCO Shipping (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and other renowned international shipping companies. Over the course of more than 40 years as a seasoned international sea captain, Tingwa commanded a wide range of commercial vessels with remarkable skill, professionalism, and integrity. He rose to the role of Marine Superintendent and Chief Captain, supervising port captains and overseeing one of the largest shipping fleets of the era, which included over 100 cargo ships, tankers, and passenger vessels. Tingwa retired in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and earning widespread respect and admiration as a true leader in his field.

Tingwa’s personal life was as extraordinary as his professional achievements. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife of 68 years, Xuanyi Wu (吴宣仪), with whom he built a life filled with love, trust, and cherished memories. He is survived by Xuanyi (吴宣仪), his sons, Jiahan Tong (童加涵) and Zhihan Tong (童之涵), his daughters-in-law Yue Zhang (张悦) and Leann Tong, and his three adored grandchildren: Justina (童捷歆), Rachael (童瑞秋), and Julia (童菊骊). Tingwa’s greatest joy was his family, which also included his beloved grand-dogs Elvis, CJ, and Conan. His unwavering love, wisdom, and guidance will forever remain in our hearts.

A visitation to honor and celebrate Tingwa’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, located at 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT.

In loving memory of Tingwa, in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to benefit Grace Meadows in Southbury, CT, in gratitude for the exceptional care he received during his time there.

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/2dfbc4b8

Contributions may also be sent directly to Grace Meadows at the following address:

Grace Meadows III (c/o Nancy Gotschlich), “In Memory of Tingwa Tung” - 273 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488

Tingwa’s legacy of love, kindness, and integrity will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

With Love,

Xuanyi, Jiahan and Zhihan

*****

深切缅怀童定华

1932 年 7 月 18 日 - 2025 年 1 月 23 日

我们怀着十分沉痛的心情深切悼念我们的父亲童定华。他于 2025 年 1 月 23 日于康涅狄格州南伯里的家里，在睡梦中安详离世。我们的父亲度过了非凡的 92 年，一生充满欢乐、爱以及与家人和朋友的深厚情谊。他的善良、开朗和坚韧不拔的精神给所有认识他的人留下了不可磨灭的印象。

我们的父亲童定华于 1932 年 7 月 18 日出生于中国上海，父母是已故的童书鋆和夏悦婴。他是家中四个兄弟中的老二，他的哥哥童耀华（香港，已去世），他的弟弟童镐华（加利福尼亚州洛杉矶）和弟弟童建华（中国上海）。爸爸在上海出生长大，在大连海运学院获得学士学位。他将一生献给了海运事业，曾在当时约百艘货船，油轮和客船的大型船运公司上海海运局任海监室主任兼总船长，在海运界留下不少海上和港口船舶操纵的传奇案例，深受海运界的尊敬。改革开放后，中国第一艘远洋船舶远赴美国纽约港的航程，特意选派我们的父亲担任该航程的船长。到港后他中英文自如，在当时美东侨界轰动一时。香港回归前爸爸被派驻香港，管理上海海运局在香港的窗口公司。外派任务完成后又被香港远洋公司聘为高级船长，经常替公司开辟新航线，走遍了七大洲五大洋。爸爸于1999年退休后到美国定居。在他 40 多年的职业生涯中，爸爸操船技能高超，对各种租船合同和合同关系了如指掌，成为航海领域德高望重的船长。

爸爸的个人生活同样精彩。他和妈妈吴宣仪相识70年，结婚68年。虽然因为船上工作关系，他们多年聚少离多，但依然互相支持。退休后他们更是相濡以沫，相扶相持，一起度过了充满关爱、信任和共同回忆的美好生活。 我们父亲童定华的遗属包括妻子吴宣仪、儿子童加涵和童之涵、儿媳张悦和 Leann Tong，以及三个可爱的孙女Justina (童捷歆)、Rachael (童瑞秋) 和 Julia (童菊骊)。爸爸最大的快乐来自家人，包括他心爱的三只孙狗（Elvis、CJ 和 Conan）。爸爸的爱和教导将永远记在我们心中。

为了寄托我们的哀思，纪念我们父亲童定华的一生，将于 2025 年 2 月 1 日星期六上午 9:30 至 11:30 在康涅狄格州门罗市的 Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 举行守灵告别仪式。

秉承我们父亲一向慷慨和关爱的天性，如果您愿意用我们父亲的名义捐献花款，来代替给他献花(In lieu of flowers)，相信爸爸会很高兴的。具体做法是：可以用我们父亲Tingwa Tung的名义，向他生前居住的小区 Grace Meadows of Southbury CT 捐款，以纪念爸爸，也回馈这个小区给爸爸晚年带来的快乐和宁静。捐款可以寄到:

Grace Meadows III (c/o Nancy Gotschlich), “In Memory of Tingwa Tung” - 273 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488

或者也可以通过 GoFundMe平台在网上捐款: https://gofund.me/2dfbc4b8

父亲童定华的善良，正直和爱心将继续激励所有认识他的人。