Albert Chew Leong

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Leong, Foo Chow and Ng, Fook Heong; his brothers, Chew Hoi and Chew Loon; his sister, Lai Yee; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Hazel Deane (m. 1966 - 1995).

Albert is survived by his sister, Lai Cheng, and possibly his sister, Lai Chee, who resides in Hong Kong. He leaves behind a large and loving family, including those of us who call him Dad or Daddy: Paula, Lisa, Jennifer, Angelia, and Eric; those who call him Granddaddy: Olivia, Danielle, Stuart, Amy, Charlie, Daisy, Angel, Ruby, Richard, Brooklynn, and Haven; and those who are too young to know him personally but will come to know him through stories as Great Grandaddy: Everly, Emmalyn, Everett, and new additions yet to come. He also leaves behind many who call him Uncle.

Among Albert’s many extraordinary qualities was his humility. He would not describe his life story as remarkable, but it most certainly is.

Albert was born in a rural ancestral village in Toisan, Guangdong Province, China. His early childhood was marked by conflict, hunger, and hardship. Dire conditions before Japan’s invasion claimed many lives, and countless more were lost during Japan’s brutal occupation of China throughout World War II.

When the war ended in 1945, China’s economy was in disrepair, and the future remained uncertain. The civil war, which had been interrupted by the war against Japan, resumed. Many people sought to leave Guangdong in search of better opportunities elsewhere. British-occupied Malaya, now Malaysia, was one such destination.

Albert’s father and oldest brother had been living in Malaya since Albert was an infant. His father, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, had established a clinic there. In 1948, Albert’s mother and siblings were finally able to join them.

Obtaining travel documents required the family to declare an official age for each child, which determined the cost of the ticket. Because Albert was small from malnourishment, he could easily pass for younger than he actually was. With little money, his mother understated his age by approximately four years to secure a cheaper fare. As a result, the birth date Albert used throughout his life, March 20, 1940, was inaccurate. He was likely born around 1936, making him approximately 90 years old at the time of his death.

The hardships of Albert’s early childhood might have defined his future, but instead, he channeled his experiences into a determination to build a better life for himself and his family.

Once his family was reunited in Malaya, Albert enrolled at Saint Anthony’s School, a Catholic school in Teluk Ansan (now Teluk Intan). He excelled academically, joined the Scouts, learned to play the harmonica and drums, and made many friends. Later, he was recommended for admission to Saint Joseph’s Institution, another Catholic school, where he completed his high school education in Singapore. There, he took up swimming and continued to excel in his studies.

Upon graduating, Albert received an offer of sponsorship from missionaries to attend Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California. In 1958, still a young man fresh out of high school, he boarded a ship to the United States alone, determined to pursue his education and fulfill his dream of helping his family.

In California, Albert worked multiple jobs to cover his tuition and living expenses throughout college. His hard work paid off in 1963 when he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with a minor in Religion, from Pepperdine University. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned a master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from Georgia Tech in 1965.

Around this time, Albert began working as a chemist at KEM Manufacturing Company in Tucker, Georgia. There, he met Hazel Deane Hopkins, whom he married in 1966. In 1967, Lisa was born, joining her older sister, Paula, Hazel’s daughter from a previous marriage. Daughters Jennifer and Angelia and son Eric followed.

Albert remained steadfast in his determination to provide his family with a life of opportunity, safety, and security. For most of his adult life, he worked as an independent electrician and skilled contractor, taking on a wide range of projects. He never complained about the long hours or physical demands of his work. Through his perseverance, he gave his children a childhood far removed from his own—one filled with greater stability, opportunity, and freedom from the hardships he had endured.

His skills also allowed him to help others in need, and he gave generously of his time and abilities. Whether providing for his family or lending a hand to someone else, Albert found tremendous joy in what he could do for others.

Albert’s generosity extended well beyond his immediate household. Through years of hard work, he was able to help his extended family immigrate from China to the United States, beginning with his parents in the mid-1980s. Initially, they lived in Albert and Hazel’s home in Snellville, Georgia. In anticipation of more relatives arriving, Albert purchased a second home just several houses away, giving family members a place to stay while they acclimated to their new country, established themselves, and worked toward citizenship and financial independence.

Because of Albert’s perseverance and generosity, multiple generations of his family have been able to build lives of greater freedom and opportunity in the United States. His efforts created a legacy that extends far beyond what he could have accomplished for himself alone.

Albert’s life is an extraordinary story of strength, resilience, hard work, and love. He showed us the value of facing challenges without complaint, keeping perspective on what truly matters, sharing our time and skills with those in need, loving unconditionally, and welcoming people from different backgrounds. He also understood the importance of making joyful memories with family and the people we love while we have the opportunity.

Albert might never have considered his life remarkable, but the opportunities he created, the people he helped, and the generations he influenced tell a different story. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and all those whose lives he touched. May his example continue to guide and inspire the generations to come.