Gordon Fook Wai

The father that I grew up with was friendly, kind and easy to get along with. He was always optimistic, honest and sincere.

As a teenager, I often got angry over little things, but he always provided the voice of reasons. Overtime, my father's patience and sincerity made me realize that I could approach him with any problems I had. I learned that open communication with my father can resolve many issues and it changed my bad attitude.

After a long stressful day at work, when I returned home, he would often be standing by the door to greet me with "Welcome Home." These words made me very happy and gave me the feeling of a warm and inviting home.

Every time my kids slept over at his house, he would wake up in the middle of the night and make sure that they were warm and comfortable before going back to sleep. This shows that the bond of love from him to me also extends to my children.

He was an excellent father whom cannot be replaced. My family and I will continue to remember him and he lives on in our heart forever.

Eulogy of Our Father

Dad, Gordon Fook Wai, was born in Guang Dong, China in 1918. He was the youngest of the six siblings. He studied in school for a few years and had to quit because family was poor and could not support him. He started work at 13 in Hong Kong and supported his parents. However, he managed to continue study at night while working. Starting from office boy to working as technician in a power company, he was promoted to chief engineer in the climax of his career and won recognitions from his peers and superiors.


Mom and Dad were neighbours in China. They met in adulthood in Hong Kong and got married. When their first son was born the Second World War broke out. Hong Kong was occupied by Japan. Dad went back to Guang Dong ancestral home to escape war. Life was difficult then. That is why he never wasted a single grain of rice.


When Dad came home in between his sailings, he would bring home products of places he had visited, e.g., bird's nest, mango from Philippines. We got all exited about them.


Dad was frugal all his life, spending all his money in bringing up his children. In 1979 he decided to immigrate to Canada so that the two youngest daughters can continue higher education here. Dad taught us proper behaviour in society and set good example by following straight rules on himself.


Dad was atheist before his stoke in 2003. Katy led him to accept Jesus as Saviour while waiting in Emergency. He recovered completely without any subsequent effects of a stroke. He was baptized in Easter the same year and committed to follow Jesus. Dad diligently studied the Bible everyday. He often reminded us to love one another with God's love and to treat everyone equally and respectfully. After Mom also became a firm believer of Jesus, they prayed together every night with Katy.


After turning 90 Dad had difficulty walking but still insisted going to church and receive communion. Whenever Katy chaired the Sunday worship, Dad would be present to offer his support for Katy.


Dad started to feel unwell before turning 96 this year. He developed pneumonia after admitted to hospital. His conditions fluctuated. Thanks for the prayers of brothers and sisters from the church, Dad was peaceful and left us on May 6, now resting comfortably in the eternal home of the Heavenly Father.

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to two siblings who took care of Father while he was in hospital. They spent a lot of time and efforts, looking after him.

The first one is Katy. She lives with parents and takes care of all their needs. I think that parents' longevity is mostly contributed to her tender love and care in their daily life. Before hospital, Father occasionally needed help to the bathroom at night. Katy would get up from sleep and ensured that he return to bed safely. She would go to work on the following day as normal without complaints.

Katy would go an extra mile in caring Father while he was in hospital. She applied leave from work. Every morning before 8 am she was in hospital and helped feeding Father breakfast. She did this every day and one of the staff jokingly said : "You seem to be reporting to work here". She brought nutritious food from home each day to feed him. No wonder the Doctor said : "She is a good daughter".

The second sibling is Patrick who spent most days from noon to sunset at Father's bed side in caring, feeding him with food and water and making him comfortable. Father spent nearly a month in hospital and the two were always there. The staff praised him: "He is a good son".

Here, I would like to thank them by saying: "Thank you for what you have done". Thank you Katy and thank you Patrick.

Wilfred

Dear grandpa, you will always in the bottom of my heart, I will miss you forever.

Dear Granddad, there's an image in my mind that you were a very strong and brilliant man who had raised very good kids. You have successfully built a great family and that's all it is for a great father. You will always be there in our heart.

Yeh Yeh
Thank you for helping me grow stronger.

You are always in my heart.