Hua Cheng Cheng

Hua Cheng Cheng was born on November 6th, 1935, in Zhong Shan Canton, China. His parents were Yong Tac (1910-1965) and Hsiu Ping (1911-2000). Hua Cheng was the third sibling in a large family of seven: Lai Ying (Arne), Yen Han, Li Ngo (Rick), Wah Po (Mei Chu), Li Ying (David), and Li Sing (Dan). His fifteen nieces and nephews include Lee, Fernando, Evelina, Julie, Aileen, Norman, Jessica, Sonja, Jason, Michelle, Alan, Robert, Mark, Alexis, and Lawrence. He also has numerous grand nieces, grand nephews and great grand nieces and great grand nephews.

Hua’s father and mother were often travelling back and forth from China to Vietnam for business and eventually settled in Hanoi, Vietnam where they opened and operated a small movie theater called Gold Tong Movie Theater. With the guidance of his father, Hua learned how to be a projectionist at the theater while his siblings were outside selling candy, food, drinks and cigarettes to the movie goers. They also ran a bike valet service while the moviegoers were enjoying the films.

At a young age, Hua took on many responsibilities, caring for the family and providing financially for his younger siblings. They were a close-knit family who always took care of each other. Hua was a dedicated son and brother who always put his family first, often sacrificing himself and not eating his full meal to give his siblings more food during the hard times. When he was not working, he often accompanied his mother across the river and climbed mountains to pray to Buddha.

During the Vietnam War, each sibling embarked on their own journey to Canada or the United States. Hua and his sister Li Ngo with her family took a train to China. He stayed in China for a few years working on a sugar cane farm waiting to be sponsored by family in Canada. In 1981, Hua was sponsored by his sister Li Ying and her family to come to Vancouver, Canada. This was a joyous time because now, everyone was together again.

Hua’s time in Vancouver was a whole new and exciting experience. He was multilingual speaking three languages including, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. He settled into life in Canada living with various family members and eventually living with his mother (Hsiu Ping) and younger brother (Wah Po) sister-in-law and his niece and nephews.

Although he did not have children of his own, he was an important part of the lives of many of his nieces and nephews. Taking care of them as if they were his own children while his brother and sisters were out working to create a better life in their new adopted home of Canada.

He worked diligently for 10 years at McDonalds as a night shift cleaner from 10pm to 6am. After his retirement, he spent his years taking care of his mother and travelling with his brother and sisters. He visited many exciting places including, Australia, London, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. He enjoyed gardening, and his daily trips to the grocery store to get a newspaper and fresh food.

Hua Cheng passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Royal Columbian Hospital, March 24th, 2023 at the age of 87. He will be greatly missed by his family as a loving son, brother, and uncle.

Hua Cheng’s funeral services will be held at Ocean View Funeral Chapel, 4000 Imperial Street Burnaby BC.

Visitation/Viewing with Buddhist ceremony: Tuesday April 11th 2023 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Funeral Service: Wednesday April 12th 2023 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Burial: Wednesday April 12th 2023 from 11:00 am to 12:00pm, Ocean View Burial Park – Calvary 21 Section