Einstein Wong Cheng

Einstein or “Boy,” as his family called him, was born on September 18, 1958 in Manila, Philippines. Einstein was the sixth among eight children of Nicasio T. Cheng and Wong Yut Sing. He was predeceased by his father and his sister Audrey.

Through Einstein’s Auntie Luz, he met the former Cecilia “Ce” Lee in Taipei in 1985. They married a year later in New York and spent 36 joyful years together. He settled down in Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York City, and made many cherished visits to his family in the Philippines. He spoke 7 languages and dialects, and was a truly multi-cultural person, and he was loved deeply by friends and family all over the world.

Einstein was the personification of and was known as the “Man for Others.” He was a devoted husband to Ce, a loving father to his daughter Annika “Annie” Cheng, a dutiful son to his parents, an affectionate brother to his siblings, a caring uncle to his nephews and nieces, and a doting grand-uncle to his many grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

Einstein was a beautiful person. He had a wonderful smile and the biggest of hearts. He was passionate about being there for anyone at any time…just like Superman. He cared genuinely and was selfless to his extended family in the medical community. He deeply touched and contributed to numerous lives. He will always be remembered as the epitome of love, compassion, and devotion.

Perhaps his finest roles in life were as husband to Ce and father to his daughter Annie. He supported them in all their pursuits and took pride in their many accomplishments. He was a simple soul who derived great joy from helping others, sharing a good meal and also keeping a clean and organized home for his family. He loved decorating for Christmas, inside the house and out, which was appreciated by all his neighbors. He was a child at heart, and was the fun uncle to many kids over the years.

Einstein received his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of the East in the Philippines. He took up his residency in Radiology in Taipei, Taiwan at Mackay Memorial Hospital. After settling in New York, he completed his Physician Assistant (PA) degree at Stony Brook University and became a certified physician assistant.

Einstein’s medical career spanned 35 years at the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital (formerly Booth Memorial Hospital), attaining the position of Chief Urology PA. He touched the lives of many colleagues there as he set an example of compassionate and expert care while training future generations of physician assistants who were lovingly called “Little Einsteins.” His family is grateful to his many colleagues who supported him through his illness especially Mr. Ronald Coombs, Dr. Lauren Elreda and Einstein’s cousin Dr. Alexis Te. His loved ones always knew he had the best care possible.

He was a communicant of St. Michael’s Church in Flushing, NY and was an active supporter of the Futures in Education’s Angel Program, which provides tuition assistance to needy Catholic School students in Brooklyn and Queens.

Einstein is survived by his wife Ce and daughter Annie, his mother Yut Sing, his siblings Annabel, Arlene, Newton, Olivia, Marilyn and Marylou and their spouses. He is also survived by his daughter’s godmother and dear friend Veronica Tsang and his godson Newton Tsang. In addition, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, extended family and close friends who adored him and will miss him dearly. All will forever cherish memories of this big guy with an even bigger heart.

A visitation for Einstein will be held Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Quinn - Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, August 11, 2023 10:30 at St Michael's Church, Barclay Ave & Union Street, Flushing, NY 11355.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to support a new program which will be established in his memory to provide ‘chemo shirts’ to patients undergoing chemotherapy. Online donations can be made via http://donation.einsteincheng.com.