Dad, you spent a lot of time at work when you were younger. Your young children would typically be asleep by the time you got home from work and would only see you on weekends and holidays. So as a child, you were always my “Holiday Dad”.

My dad was a traditional Chiu Chow man. At home, he never smiled much and always looked stern. This is in contrast to when he was out, where he was all smiles and charming.

As a very nostalgic person, my dad would always take our family to Yuen Long to greet an older gentlemen in the early 60’s during Chinese New Year. At that time, transportation wasn’t convenient. If there was a traffic jam, it took more than half a day just to drive to Yuen Long and back. Even though we often felt carsick as kids during the long car ride, my dad insisted on going every single year. I later realized that the older gentleman was my dad’s boss at his first job.

My dad also loved to take part in church activities. Ever since Swatow Christian Church established the Men’s Fellowship in 1963, my dad actively participated in the group and was the fellowship leader for many years. In the 60’s, the Men’s Fellowship started to form church-wide field trips, with swimming at Sharp Island as a popular event. Church-wide field trips were a huge deal back then. Hundreds of people had to be transported to Sai Kung Pier with numerous coach buses, and were then transferred onto Sampans, before arriving at the beach at Sharp Island. To ensure that everything ran smoothly at each event, my dad would make a trip there a week prior to plan everything out, scheduling lunch plans and on-site activities.

We moved into our Prince Edward flat in 1966, and there my dad stayed for 55 years until his death. One reason my parents chose the flat is so that my mom can look out the window to see her children walk to and from school. But I think the main reason my dad chose the flat is so that he can see the intersection at Grampian Road; it was an important landmark for both the Bread of Life Christian Church, where my dad first heard the gospel, and Swatow Christian Church, our spiritual home.

Even when things got busy at work, my dad always took time to care for his family’s physical needs and more important spiritual needs. In order for his children to know Jesus and study the Bible at a young age, he enrolled us in a Christian school, and encouraged us to attend Sunday School, Children’s Church and various youth fellowships growing up. There was even a period of time when my dad would get off work early once a week so that we can have family worship time together, as we sang hymns, read the bible, prayed and praised God.

We thank God for his abundance towards our family. As my dad’s business gained traction during Hong Kong’s economic boom in the 70’s, this enabled my dad to send his children to Canada for school. Even after we graduated from university, started our own careers and families, my dad continued to care for his children. Currently, most of his children and grandchildren reside in Toronto. In order to promote gatherings among his children and grandchildren, he commissioned my big sister, Lori, to set up a “Grandpa Dinner Fund” to promote frequent family gatherings. He continued to pray for his children and grandchildren and it was his greatest wish that his future generations would know and love the Lord Jesus.

Before the age of 90, my dad was in good health. He always insisted on only eating up to 70 percent of his full capacity to maintain a lean, healthy figure. He wasn’t a materialistic man but valued a tidy appearance, and he always made sure his hair was neatly combed. He became less mobile in his last days but he still valued a tidy appearance. In fact, he called his barber to go on-site to his home to give him a haircut, 6 days before he passed away!

A few days after, my dad celebrated his birthday on April 21 (we celebrate my dad’s birthday on March 10 according to the Lunar calendar). On that day, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren across Hong Kong and Canada all gathered in-person or virtually to celebrate his 91st birthday. We sang “Happy Birthday” to him, followed by him cutting the cake with a smile. On April 22, the day before his passing, he asked his helper to shave his facial hair, cut his nails, and give him a bath as if he knew the time has come, so he wanted to be neatly presented to meet the Lord.

In the evening of April 23, 2021, my dad was peacefully called to be with our Lord, and is now reunited with my mom and older brother.

As a final farewell, his children and grandchildren sang and recorded his favourite hymn, “In the Cross” together. We dedicate this song to our dear father and grandfather.

May All Glory Be To God Our Heavenly Father!

Raymond