JAMES ROLAND PON

JAMES ROLAND PON Passed away peacefully with his family by his side at MACKenzie Health on Friday, March 22, 2013 at the age of 95 years. Beloved husband of Vera, loving father of Louise (Larry), Karen, and Douglas (Nicole), and dear grandfather of Jason. For over 45 years, James devoted himself to active community work. He was instrumental in the building of the first home for the Chinese Aged in Canada. He was on hospital boards. To promote awareness of the Chinese contribution to our country, he established a group to erect a statue commemorating the unification of Canada through the building of the railway by Chinese workers. James was actively involved and became the symbol for the Canadian Government's 2006 Redress for Head Tax and the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act. For his exemplary contributions to the community and to Canada, James was awarded the Queen II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. A private family funeral will be held on March 26, 2013. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Special thanks to the medical staff at MacKenzie Health for their dedicated care to James. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be sent to the Mon Sheong Foundation, 11199 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4S 1L2 or the Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada, 95 Ravensbourne Crescent, Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 2B3.