Mr. Man Hing Low

Mr. Man Hing Low, October 4th, 1931 – March 10th, 2010. In loving memory of our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Hing is survived by his loving wife Ngan Sen Low, his children Evelyn (Bruce), May (Rick), Jenny and Michael (Micheline), grandchildren Wayne (Jeannie), Dennis (Tara), great grandchildren Alexander, Brooklyn and Kade, many more family and friends. Visitation will be held at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 1:00 pm, Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Burial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Ave. Burnaby, BC. Arrangements entrusted to Glenhaven Memorial Chapel. 604.255.5444 Robert Leier Funeral Director.

Dad grew up in Guangdong, China and as a young man of 21, joined his father in Canada.

He found his first job in 1953, apprenticing in the kitchen of the Shawnigan Lake Resort on Vancouver Island. His path was set; he would be a cook and restaurant owner for his working life. He learned to cook and bake; favourite recipes that would later become famous among his family, friends and customers.

His family arranged a marriage for him in the traditional way. He would exchange letters and pictures with his bride-to-be until her arrival in 1957, when she was 17 years old. Together, they would build a happy life. They had three daughters early on and then their son. They owned and operated three coffee shops in Vancouver over the next 30 years.

Dad and Mom, with a family of three girls first lived in an one-room apartment above the restaurant. To earn a down payment on their first house, Dad took a job working the cruise ship run in Alaska and left Mom to run the coffee shop. It was a huge sacrifice; to leave his family for six months and to find out that he would get terribly sea sick working on the seas. But is was all worth it; our first home was a large character house in Vancouver with a backyard full of fruit trees.

Life was simple; the coffee shop was operated weekdays so that the evenings and weekends were free for family and home. Our weekend family excursions formed our fondest childhood memories. Riding in dad’s red car out to day trips with our cousins, uncles and aunties. Road trips to Victoria to see the parliament building…even the ferry trip was an adventure. Excursions to Penticton and Pender Harbour to fish, clam, and enjoy the water. Shopping trips to Bellingham, Seattle and Portland for the kids so we could stock up on jeans. Weekends were always fun together with family even if weren’t travelling far. Collecting watercress in the ditches in Langley, digging for clams in Deep Cove, finding oysters in Stanley Park Beach, catching smelt at Spanish Banks and crabs at Crescent Beach.

Then retirement in 1988; opening a whole new fantastic chapter for Dad and Mom. They now had time to travel and enjoy new activities with their friends. With their travel buddies, they ventured out cruising and exploring countries in Europe and Asia. Bus trips to Reno and Vegas were lots of fun too. Their travels took them everywhere from touring China, visiting the Palace of Versaille, camel back riding in Tibet and cruising the seas with their good friends. Mom always brought her rice cooker wherever so they could have their Chinese food fix no matter where they travelled.

Dad and Mom exercised with their friends at Queen Elizabeth park; tai chi and ballroom dancing were favourites. They learned to jive, waltz, and cha-cha; going to dances at the community centres and out with friends. Dad loved to dance; doing the Electric slide, leading us in the jive at our weddings and out dancing most of the family.

Trips to YMCA were part of their daily routine. Dad loved to swim; Waikiki beach was the best, but the Y pool was fine too. Dad’s retirement meant he would have a regular exercise routine that included walking in the park, swimming and eating healthy.

Dad grew wonderful things in his gardens. He loved growing his tomatoes, veggies, chinese melons and zucchini. He said his secret to his flourishing garden was that he would talk to them every morning and encourage them to grow.

Looking back on his life, Dad had no regrets; he told us “I’ve had a good long life.”

Thanks Daddy Low for giving us everything we enjoy today; we’re a happy healthy family. You had to leave us much too soon; we look back with our time together with laughter and tears, and much love.