Wai Min Fong

My parents, Wai Min and Ying Ying Fong, met and wed in Cleveland, OH in 1964. Wai Min worked at his dad’s restaurant in Cleveland’s “old” Chinatown district as both a cook and waiter (Wai Min’s grandfather had migrated to the Midwest where he sought refuge from the newly enacted Chinese Exclusion Act). Living in near poverty under the iron fist of his dad– as Ying described it – she would leave Wai Min to live with her sister in Detroit. Their relationship was tested while living under deplorable conditions (it’s Cleveland, after all). Wai Min eventually followed Ying, angering my Grandfather. The couple settled in Detroit’s Chinatown, living in an apartment on Cass (near Wayne State), where Wai Min worked at the local Chinese restaurants and Ying held part-time jobs as a seamstress and at the butcher shop at Farmer Jack’s. Over time, they were frugal enough to save $20K, which was enough for a down payment on a home in Detroit. They were expecting their first child, Alvin. One Sunday morning – on Wai Min’s day off – a co-worker mentioned that a Chinese restaurant was for sale in St. Clair Shores. He suggested that Wai Min “check it out.” So, on his day off on a random Sunday afternoon, the two went to take a look. This was 1967. They arrived at Moy’s Restaurant and met with the owner, Mrs. Moy. However, the dining room was packed and Mrs. Moy didn’t have time to discuss the sale. Seeing how busy she was, Wai Min decided to “roll up his sleeves” and lend a hand. Wai Min volunteered to bus tables and prep food in the kitchen. When the dinner rush subsided, Mrs. Moy asked Wai Min how much he was willing to offer. Wai Min replied he only had $20K. Without hesitation, Mrs. Moy agreed to sell him the business. Based on his selflessness, Mrs. Moy was impressed with Wai Min’s character – he was a good person. They shook hands to seal the deal. Wai Min and Ying quit their jobs and embarked on a new adventure as small business owners. Moy’s would go on to serve the Grosse Pointe and St Clair Shores community for over 35 years. Wai Min Fong leaves behind his spouse Ying Ying Fong; his three (3) sons’ Alvin, Roger, and his wife, Chrisie Fong, and Benjamin, and his wife, Barbara Collins-Fong; and five (5) grandchildren, Geoffrey, Christopher, Sydney, Holden, and Bennett.

Visitation will be held at A H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, US, on July 17, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at A H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, US, on July 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Committal Service will follow at A H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, US, on July 18, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.