William Wong

WONG, William Age 88, of Boston, owner and founder of the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, passed away surrounded by his family on August 6, 2011. Beloved husband of Madeline (Chin) Wong for 63 years. Born January 15, 1923 in Boston, MA to the late Goe Shing Wong and Lem Ding from Hoiping (China). He was the loving father of six children, Linda, Donald, Robert, Stanley, Elizabeth and Andrew, and their spouses Kwong Chu, Jeannie (Han), Sandy (Lee), Mary (Yee), Paul Moy and Mei-Ling (Dolores). Bill is also survived by 15 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his two brothers, Perry Wong and Douglas Wong, his sister Jennie Dow, and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Helen Chew and Anna Woo. He attended the C.C. Perkins and Quincy School in Boston and in 1929 went off to boarding school in Canton, China. Traveling via Toronto, Vancouver and Osaka by train and ship to attend the Pui Ching School. In 1939 he returned to Boston and in his early 20's attended the New England Aircraft School. On August 1, 1948 he married Madeline. It was on his honeymoon, traveling for eight weeks to Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Miami and Washington, D.C. that Bill would get many of his ideas and inspiration for his future business. Bill worked for his father at the Mai Fong restaurant on Massachusetts Avenue near Symphony Hall and enjoyed meeting and befriending many people from nearby M.I.T., Harvard University and the Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, Bill and his father opened the first Japanese restaurant in Boston on the second level named ""Sukiyaki."" To earn additional income to support his family, he helped his wife in her career as a saleswoman for John Hancock Life Insurance by transporting her from one potential client to another for hours at a time. In 1950, he founded and opened the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus with his wife. Working 14 to 16 hour days, he cooked and cleaned while she waitressed and hostessed. Bill was active in many areas of his life, reaching Adjutant level in the Shriners, as past National President of the Wong Family Association, receiving an honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from Northeastern University, induction into the Restaurant Hall of Fame with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, among many other distinctions and accomplishments. As president in 1972, William initiated the purchase of the current Boston Wong Family Association Building. He was also well known for his philanthropic deeds, ranging from countless food donations, funding scholarships for students, and numerous fundraisers for civic organizations and charities. Bill loved all the Boston sports teams and hosted many of them and other celebrities at his restaurant. Above all, he was a very humble man who loved his family and friends. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, August 9, from 2 – 8 PM at Waterman's Funeral Home, 580 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109. Parking attendants will be present. Funeral from Watermans on Wed. August 10, from 10AM – Noon before leaving in procession and then burial at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. In Memory of William, donations may be made to the Wong Family Association Scholarship Fund of which William was the founder: 70 Beach St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111. Boston Harborside Home J.S. Waterman & Sons-Langone 617-536-4110