"An always smiling and known to most in Levuka as KANG JACK WAR" May he rest in peace. May our thoughts and prayers be with you and the family members in times of sorrow.
                                                                         Manhar Vithal, Levuka

My grandpa was so gentle and loving. He always wanted his family to be happy, and he did the best he could to make that happen. He made me realize that true happiness doesn't come from what you have, but who you have in your life. It is those individuals that make life precious. He was a happy grandpa and I will always remember his smile.

From the many stories I have been told throughout my life, it was apparent that my grandpa was inventive and self sufficient. He made the most of what he had. He truly did enjoy the simple things in life. The most important lesson my grandpa has taught me and what I will take forward with me is this: To be content with what I have and where I am in life, because no matter what, someone will always have more than me.

My brother and I were fortunate to go on many family vacations with our grandfather, in which I remember the most, Fiji and Disneyland. Sharing these special times with him are memories that will stay with me forever. Spending the last couple of years with my grandparents made me realize more than ever the special bond that they shared. Their love and devotion for each other was so genuine and I am so grateful I got to witness this, because I now know he was so fortunate to have my grandma in his life. 

He may be gone, but the special memories each of us have of him will always remain. They will not be forgotten.

Mr Kang Jack War
'Someone to Love God Lent Us' May you rest in peace. We will surely miss your ice blocks and kindness. Thanks for making the Fiji Team feel at home when you visited us in your new found home in 1979. Our condolences to your great wife and families
Suliana Sandys and family, Levuka.

I remember him singing a song about the moon during the Mid-Autumn festival. I also remember him teaching us how to write our Chinese names with a traditional brush and ink.  He taught me to appreciate Chinese heritage and culture.

Tribute
Greetings. I, Benny Wong, was requested by the late Jack War Kang to share briefly about his life.
Twenty years ago, I was an editor for the Sing Tao newspaper. In that role, I participated in many community activities and organized various competitions. In that time, I was blessed to meet one of the active participants, Jack War Kang. His middle name, pronounced as War, sounds similar to a Chinese syllable/word meaning peace or harmony. Those who knew him can testify that his mannerism matched his name: "harmonious" or "peaceful". I have learned a great deal from Jack from the way he interacted with people, how he handled things, his love for his family & his participation in charity work. 
Forty-two years ago, on October 10th, 1970 Fiji left the British Colony. On that Independence Day, Jack was asked to represent the Chinese community and give a speech. At that time, he was serving as the town councilman. The following year in 1971, he moved from Fiji to Vancouver.  When Fiji celebrated its 25th anniversary of Independence, Jack Kang was invited again to help with the celebratory preparation. He sent various archives (pictures, stories, written speeches,) which the Fiji government placed in its museum for historical display. He was acknowledged by the Fijian government representative for his contributions and promotion of Fiji.
When Jack came to Vancouver, he eagerly participated in various community fundraising events. For many years, he served as a director in several Chinese community societies and associations. He received a recognition award from Mayor Owen and the Chinatown Merchant Associations for his continuous dedication and extended effort towards promoting Chinatown.
Jack Kang was very talented at writing essays and poetry; some were published in the local Chinese newspapers. He also enjoyed reciting poetry. In several poetry recital events, he finished as one of the top 3 contestants. His other favorite pastimes included photography & gardening. Jack had a keen interest in cultivating flowers. He had much success in growing Orange Blossom. Unselfishly, he would share his passion with others by giving away fresh cut fragrant flowers.
In 1948, Jack married Gen You in Fiji. His wedding was witnessed by the founding Prime Minister of Fiji. Together, they bore 2 sons and 2 daughters. He was blessed with 10 grandkids to carry on the legacy he left behind. In recent years, I was fortunate to witness Mr. & Mrs. Kang's 60th wedding anniversary.
My advice to Mrs. Jack Kang: don't feel sad because we know that Jack is now in God's arms. Enjoy your children's love. To Jack's children and grandchildren: look to your father/grandfather's character as a good role model to follow. He has set an excellent example for the next generation.
To all, I wish you happiness and good health. Thank you.

Please accept our deepest condolences.  Jack will be missed by all the staff and residents of Brock Fahrni.
The Rehab Dept.

To The Kang Family,

Saddened to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathies to all of you.

Your father was a prominent feature of my time in Levuka.

He will be sadly missed.

Mala Madden ( Joe ) Sydney, Australia.

Gung Gung, your character and poetry have inspired me.  What distinguish a great man from others... he lives in the hearts of many, forever!

Gung Gung, your character and your poetry have inspired me.  What distinguish a great man from others... he lives forever in the hearts of many.

Dear Elayne,Wing & Family,My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of sadness. I hold many lovely memories of your Dad and your family back in Levuka. A beautiful soul,a kind gentleman, Rest in Peace.Akesa (John) Adelaide,S.Australia.

Thank you Dad for being a great role model, and showing me an appreciation for nature...one of God's gift to us. I am a well adjusted, respectful, decent, and humble person, I am all of these things because of you, and the world you provided for my mother, my brother, sisters and myself.

Your kindness, generosity, determination and creativity will live on, in all of us. I love you Dad and please don't worry about Mom, we will take good care of her. We will miss you forever but you will always be with us in our hearts.

Our  family acknowledges with deep gratitude all the kind expressions of sympathy and support sent by friends and relatives from Australia, Hong Kong, NZ, Fiji, UK, USA and Canada. Also to all our Viti friends from Levuka who knew Dad, we so appreciate your sympathy and kindness.
Dorothy, Ada, Queenie, Manasa, Jagdutt, Charlie McGoon, Alec, Mune, Maciu, Violet, Fanny, Linda, Rosalind, Ateca, Vasiti, George McComber, Winnifred, the Powells, Whippys and Newtons -- on behalf of the entire family, thank you all for your comforting words.

      Au loloma vakabibi sara yani vei kemuni kece 
                 
      Wing

Liz,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May his soul rest in peace.
Take care,
Sanjana

To the Kang family, thank you for all the beautiful memories and being a part of our childhood year growing up in beautiful dear old Levuka.. Heaven is a more beautiful place today because of your dear dad...May his soul rest in peace. Lolomas from the Powell Family, Fiji, Vancouver, USA, NZ & Australia.

Dear Elayne,
Sending you and your mother n familylots of love n sympathy at this time of sadness. Your father will always be with you in spirit and even though I do not know your family well, I am sure from the happy photos that I have seen ,the many happy memories will bring a feeling of comfort to you all.
With deep sympathy from
Marie Thomas
Kirribilli, Australia 1/9/12

I was 6 years old when grandpa and I lined up for a ride called Space Mountain. We thought it was a ride for little children.  It ended up being a rollercoaster in the dark.  We closed our eyes, and hid our faces in our laps.  For the entire ride, our heads were repeatedly bouncing off each other.  My grandpa still enjoyed the ride; I was traumatized.  In times of increased pressure, grandpa showed little to no worry.  Even in his old age, when times of difficulty took the form of health problems, grandpa adapted. We acknowledge the health issues that he had to live with, but more importantly, we should remember how he handled it without any complaint.  An excerpt from one of my grandpa's many poems says that ‘health and happiness surpasses all wealth.' I feel that these values empowered him to face all the adversity in his long life.

 I personally would like remember my grandfather as a health conscious man.  When I was a child, I recall him using a floor mat in his house to exercise.   What he would do was to turn the floor mat over, so that the small and little spikes were facing upwards.  My grandfather would then proceed to march on the square mat.  It was like he was lightly stomping on grapes.  I believe he did it to toughen the soles of his feet.  He would do this as he watched television.  As a child, your curiosity sometimes gets the best of you.  I was no different.  I asked him if I could try it too.   He said to me, “Sure, let's see how long you can do it.”  After a few steps, I just could not do it anymore.  I found it to be too uncomfortable for my feet.  However, my grandfather kept on going.  From that day on, I knew my grandfather was a tough person, and would be less likely to complain. They are traits I always aspire to.

Dear Elayne and Family,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family on your great loss.
May the good memories help ease the pain and bring smiles instead of tears.

Dearest Elayne,Wing,John & Elizabeth.

"Sharing in your sorrow with love & friendship."

                                                  Vasiti Serukalou (Suva Fiji)

Dearest Elayne, I appreciate very much you letting me know of your profound loss. Even though I am many miles away my thoughts and prayers are with your delightful precious Mum, you and your family, Wing, Donna and their family, John and his family and Elizabeth and her family.

(I remember Elizabeth as that preschool little girl in Levuka)

Your parents hold many fond memories of my growing up years in Levuka. Your father I considered a pioneer that shaped the town of Levuka. The small town which accommodated our needs and wants at the time to give many of us the best growing up years any child could only dream of these days. Your Dad was up there with the likes of the late Ratu Mara, Ratu Edward Cakaubau, Ratu Joni's Dad, Doctor Dovi etc in their passion for Levuka when they lived there.

When I met your parents again after over 40 years the atmosphere in their home was abuzz with many happy memories of all our time in Levuka. I realized they had never forsaken Levuka and it still held a very special place in their hearts. The Levuka spirit was burning brightly that beautiful day and very much intact. Pixie, Roseann and I loved every minute we spent at their home and most grateful to you for instigating it. It was a very special day for the three of us in many different ways. Pixie and Roseann were over the moon to hear the stories told to them about their mothers from your dear mother, me it brought back all those lovely memories.

Levuka was definitely a better place with your parents being there and your Dad will be sadly missed. His passing will not only leave a void in all your lives but also in the hearts of everyone that knew him.

With heartfelt condolences and much love,
 
Rosalind, Adelaide, South Australia.

YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER MANY OF US WHO WENT TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILDREN AT LEVUKA PUBLIC SCHOOL.......BUT MANY OF US DO REMEMBER YOU......FROM THE LEVUKA CHINESE COMMUNITY BACK THEN IN THE 1950's PERHAPS YOU MAYBE THE LAST OF THE FEW THAT IS LEFT TO PASS FROM THIS LIFE BRINGING AN END TO AN ERA WHERE LEVUKA WAS FAMILY.....SO AS YOU MAKE YOUR PEACEFUL TRANSITION FROM THIS LIFE.....LEVUKA MAY CHANGE AND WILL CHANGE...BUT THE FOOTSTEPS OF GREAT FAMILIES LIKE YOURS WILL FOREVER BE A PERMANENT PRINT IN THE SANDS OF TIME AT LEVUKA.....REST IN PEACE.....

The lasting memory of my Kung Kung is back from when I was 4 years old and he used to take me to pre-school at Kensington Community Center.I was the neurotic sort (even back then), was a worry-wart, and had a serious case of separation anxiety.Every day he would drop me off and leave me in the care of the pre-school teacher Barbara. He would then take his usual place on a bench underneath that huge maple tree in the adjacent courtyard and read his Chinese newspaper.He always made sure I would be able to see him from that giant picture window in the community center's multi-purpose room.No matter how many times I would run up to said window to check - he would always be sitting there reading his paper.

I am reminded of a passage by the great American author Henry van Dyke.He compares the passing of a person to a ship sailing off in the distance. The ship grows smaller and smaller on the horizon as it gets further and further away from shore until it is finally gone from sight.He explains that the ship growing smaller in the distance until it ultimately can't be seen is only his perspective.He knows the ship's sails are still full with wind and its hull continues to powerfully crash through the waves - he just can't see it because the ship has gone from his sight.

This is how I feel about my Kung Kung.That bench underneath the maple tree at Kensington sits vacant - my grandfather has gone from my sight.But I know in all of our hearts he hasn't gone anywhere.Somewhere - Kung Kung is still gardening, selling flowers, writing and reciting Chinese poetry, and of course, making beef jerky.The ones we love are never truly gone - only gone from our sight

Heavenly Father needs another Angel and life begins anew on the other side ...in your sorrow may that thought be comforting to you.
Wing, Elayne, and John and families, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
With fondest Alohas,
TuSeru and Teca

Elayne, Wing, John and Elizabeth and family - it was with deep sadness that we learned of your Dad's passing. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Much love - Ada and Dan Prins, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Dear Uncle,

We will always remember your smile & kindness and know that you are at peace now!  We know you'll be missed by all your family and friends as you will be remembered today during your celebration of life service.  Rest in peace, Uncle.  Love Catherine, Les, Greg & Jordan

Our prayers are with you, Liz, at this time. May the God of peace give you and each one in your extended family His comfort beyond measure! May the memories of your Dad bring you deep assurances of his love.

With our deepest sympathy

From the Villagers of Vagadaci, Wailailai, Wainiloka and Ovalau Island, FIJI

We remember Jack with fondness. We convey our deepest sympathy to the family in this difficult time

I am saddened to hear about the passing of Uncle Jack. 
He was a good man and will be sorely missed.
Aunty Gen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers, not only through these difficult hours, but also in the days and weeks to come.
With Deepest Sympathy.

Uncle Jack, you led your life in an exemplary manner.  You will always be an inspiration for your family and friends. You leave behind a formidable legacy in the form of a loving and devoted wife, four exceptional children and ten wonderful grandchildren.  Thank you for the innumerable sacrifices you made for your siblings and their families for which we will always be grateful. The world is a better place because you were here. We take comfort in the knowledge that you are now in the loving embrace of our Lord and members of your family who predecease you.

Elayne, Longunn, Wing, Donna, John, Bernadette, Elizabeth, Winson, Brenton, Justin, Jeffrey, Grace, Michelle, Samantha, Anthony, Andrew, Matthew and Meghan, may the Lord be your comfort and strength during this time of sorrow. Our love, prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Linda, Mike, Mark and Justin (Toronto)

If tears could build a staircase,
And memories a lane,
We'll walk right up to heaven
And bring you back home again.

Death leaves a heartache
             No one can heal,
             Love leaves a memory
             No one can steal.

With Deepest Sympathy.
Queenie, Benson, (NZ) Brian(Sydney) and Sam Por (Fiji)

I will miss you Kung Kung. The gardens will always look beautiful in heaven because I know you will be taking care of them.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

OBITUARY

Jack War Kang

December 20, 1924 – August 9, 2012

Glenhaven Memorial Chapel

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