Fuk Chi (Frank) Wong

On September 3, 2019 and in his 90^th year, Fuk Chi “Frank” left this world in the presence of family to complete the heavenly ascent to join his loving and caring wife for almost 70 years, Fung Ping Wong.

Born in a village in the Xinhui (Sunwui) District near Guangzhou in the Guangdong province of China, Fuk Chi was one the second-oldest of four children of How Ngo Wong and My Jun Chiang.

Fuk Chi is predeceased by his parents, his wife Fung Ping, daughter Lynda (Carlos), son Peter (Deborah), older sister and brother Fook Ying and sister-in-law Mavis Wong.  He is survived by his sons Joseph (Nancy) and Mark (Shirley), daughters Amanda (Larry Arnett), Amelia and Sally (Russell Chan), grandchildren Dorothy, Katherine, Anthony, Jordan, Loryn, Connor, Tanis, Madelyn (Mathew Levasseur), Zen, and Amy, brother Carl, and many nieces and nephews.

Fuk Chi graduated from the United College of Hong Kong in 1957 with a diploma in Economics (Commerce) and worked in the accounting department for a local manufacturing firm.  With the help of his father, he and his large family immigrated to Victoria, BC in 1963 in search of a better life.  It was a very difficult transition – despite being educated and fluent in English, good jobs were scarce and Fuk Chi wound up working as a greenhouse labourer and as a waiter in various restaurants.

With help from their son Joseph, Fuk Chi and Fung Ping opened King’s Food Market on Burnside Road in 1971.  Fuk Chi, like Fung Ping, was an extremely dedicated individual who worked tirelessly to provide for his family.  He ran the grocery store for the next 30 years, usually working 14 hours per day x 7 days per week with few days off.

Fuk Chi’s financial support and ability to understand and navigate Canada’s immigration system was instrumental in Fung Ping’s success in sponsoring many of her family members to come to Canada.  He was also an ardent supporter of several associations in Victoria’s Chinatown and would regularly attend association events and make contributions whenever possible.

After retiring at the age of 72, he enjoyed swimming, relaxing watching TV, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.  Family gatherings generally revolved around food and he loved it when the family would get together for meals.

Despite having mobility limitations due to the effects of several strokes and progressing dementia, he fiercely maintained his independence and would often be seen using his walker to take the bus to McDonald’s for a coffee and muffin.  He will be fondly remembered by many of the regulars and staff at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre where he spent many of his days after retiring.  He will be dearly missed by his surviving family and friends.

A Private Family Viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 starting at 6:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. The Funeral Service will be held on September 12, 2019 at 10:00 am at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting traditional “Bak Gum” for Fuk Chi (collected by any of his surviving children) or a donation made in his name to the Victoria Chinatown Care Society (online at www.canadahelps.org).

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com