Wai Nam Wong

Mr. Wai Nam Wong, 94, of Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, surrounded by family. Born on November 22, 1930, in Toisan, China, Mr. Wong was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wong Chuen Yee and was the middle of five brothers.

He told tall stories of growing up on a rural farm, swimming in fish-stocked rice paddies, and getting stuck in a lot of mud. His mother apprenticed him to a furniture maker before Mr. Wong decided that wasn’t the best life for him. He smuggled himself into Hong Kong seeking adventure and worked his way up in a bakery before discovering that cars were far more fun. He became a taxi driver for many years and to the end, could recite how to get to the various (long gone) hotels in Hong Kong and the foreign fares who tipped well. He ended his Hong Kong career as the personal chauffeur of Dr. Barbara Mo, who remained a friend until her death.

As the story goes, the boy met a girl in 1965. Well, actually, Mr. Wong’s best friend was the match maker. They went on two dates. He married her on July 20, 1966, and started a family.

The Wong family immigrated to the United States in 1975. He settled in Seattle, where he applied his incredible work ethic to jobs in Chinese restaurants all over Washington. If you’ve ever eaten at Louie’s in Ballard or Jade Palace in Port Orchard, he may very well have cooked for you.

When he retired, he redirected that work ethic to his immaculate gardens and found joy growing monster zucchini and an avalanche of beans and kohlrabi. He also loved spending time at and being a part of the Seattle branch of the Wong Society and served as its treasurer for several years. A particular highlight was attending the 25th Wong bi-annual meeting in 2015.

Mr. Wong was known for his generosity, dedication to his family, and love for his community, always ready to lend a helping hand or share a story from his life in China.

Mr. Wong is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kam Ping, two daughters Kathleen and Lynda, and grandson Zachary. He was predeceased by his parents and was the longest surviving sibling.

A funeral service will be held at the Evergreen Washelli (11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133) on January 15, 2024, at 10:00a.

Mr. Wong’s life was a testament to the power of hard work, the importance of family, and the value of community. He will be deeply missed.

黃惠南先生生平簡介

黃公惠南先生祖籍中國台山人士。生於一九三O年十一月二十二日，慟於二O二三年十二月三十一日於西雅圖市，家人隨待在則，享年九十四歲。謹擇於二Ｏ二四年一月十五日上午十時於Everygreen Washelli殯儀館(11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133) 舉行告別儀式。

黃惠南先生雙親黃傳倚夫婦共育有五名兒子，黃惠南先生排行第三，他也是兄弟中最長壽的一位。黃氏自幼在家鄉成長，𦂧間魚塘農田密茂，黃母期望黃氏能成為一名傢俱工匠，唯黃氏希望能往外開拓自己的新天地。他及後到香港發展，先後在包點烘焙及汽車行業服務，最後成為一位職業計程車司機，每日穿梭在香港不同的街道與建築，為各行各業的客人服務，對於香港的各大旅館他更是瞭如指掌，常憶述做遊客生意很好，客人給予的償金貼士非常豐厚。及後他更成為Dr. Barbara Mo毛醫生的私人司機暨摯友，直至她離世才結束服務。`

在一九六五年黃惠南先生經由好友介紹，結識了他的人生伴侣。兩人開始相約交往，在一九六六年七月二十日終成眷屬，共同開展人生新一頁。在一九七五年黃惠南先生與家人移居美國華盛頓州西雅圖，開始在華盛頓州從事餐飲行業，他在不同的餐館工作，很多朋友都可能也品嚐過他的廚藝，他曾服務的餐館包括著名的巴勒市雷氏Louie’s餐館，果園港的Jade Palace等等

歲月如梭，黃惠南先生在退休後回歸田園，熱衷於園藝生活，以成功種稙巨型西葫蘆，青豆及結頭菜為榮。他喜愛參於黃氏宗親會活動，為族親服務，並擔任財務一職多年，在任期間曾參加了全美黃氏宗親會第二十五屆懇親代表大會，表達了他對族親的支持。

黃惠南先生一生為人慷慨，樂善好施，愛護家庭，投入社區，以助人為快樂之本，並常與他人分享他的中國經歷。黃惠南先生與妻子梁錦屏結婚五十七年，育有兩位女兒燕玲及 燕萍，並迎來男外孫家榮。如今黃惠南先生已永享天福，他一生的勤奮，對家庭的負責，對社區的關懷，都會一一長存在各人心中。