Philip Choy

I wish I had known Philip. But being from Chicago and landing in S.F. in the late 60s I had no Asian American studies or history in my life. Finally in 2015 I premiered a multi-media storytelling theater piece Red Altar about the Chinese fisherman in the Monterey Bay Area (now a book). I did a lot of research and wish I had known about Philip to interview him. I feel like I missed an amazing opportunity to get grounded in my own Asian-ness and history as my family is originally from California and I had no real idea what that meant. I have had to play catch up about who I am. If I had known Philip that catch up would have made a huge difference in my own suffering around identity. It is so important for all of us to share our stories. Thank you to Philip and all of you who made our history known. Especially today we need that even more.

This is terrible sad news to me that Dr. Choy is gone. I am preparing to go back to San Francisco and in particular Chinatown, where my parents were married during World War II. I had hoped to actually meet Dr. Choy and thank him in person for his work. My belated and genuine condolences to his wonderful family.
Nancy Turpin
PhD History, UIC, Chicago

Phil and Sara Choy wrote our Sacramento book -
Canton Footprints - Sacramento Legacy with Douglas and Karun Yee. Forever grateful knowing such a wonderful pair.

Phil and Sarah write our book: "Canton Footprint"about the Chinese in Sacramento with
Doug and Karun Yee. Special memories for all of us.

Phil and Sara wish that we protect each other— young and senior, everyone cared for.

A brilliant and humble man who inspired many younger Chinese in San Francisco to remember their roots and to do good in the world.

Phil and Sarahcredits to our human race, our Chinese race, SF, CA, USA. Unforgettable! Hope to meet in heaven!
Colleen

TRIBUTE TO PHILIP CHOY

I am Lana Fong Chong, fifth daughter of a paper son, FONG KWOK SHEE. Philip (and his wife Sarah) crafted the enduring book, CANTON FOOTPRINTS, to give a voice to the many Chinese immigrants in Sacramento who seldom spoke out about their arrival, their lives, struggles and successes. Mostly, during the awful Chinese Exclusion years that lasted through 1943.
Philip and Sarah interviewed me in 2003 and from that auspicious beginning, our friendship blossomed. For the last nearly fifteen (15) years, we shared special times, enjoyed Miller's Deli, the best dim sum, but most of all, we reveled in our treasured friendship and love of good food.


I believe that Philip's legacy of ensuring that our stories are recorded, told and shared resides in my passion for preserving family history through photographs, cooking and searching for morealways. In the dozens of years that we shared, he encouraged me to record, share and publish my recipes for GAI-JEW, GEE-GHERK, WOO-TAO GAO. Even more, he and his daughter Stephanie hosted a three generations JOONG MAKING session ad his home, just last August., 2016 What a fun, laughing-out-loud (LOL) day.



Phil reminded me always to remember who you areso, Yes, I am the fifth of seven daughters, ninth of thirteen children, born to two determined, hard-working, traditionalist parents, FONG KWOK SHEE and YEE WEE PING. When I spoke of how my Baba hated gambling and when he walked in on a clandestine Mah Jong game and took two tiles (thus disabling our game)Phil roared in laughter. Then the irony of gambling.' Philip explained to me how the Chinese Keno' tickets worked, even gifting me a blank sample so I could write about its impact on our family (Mama won a Keno game enabling her to buy several residential properties in Sacramento!) (More importantly, Mama helped provide the grubstake for Baba to strike out on his own,' to buy his own farming properties)

We talked of the importance of Asian American Studies, of telling our stories,' (because they reflect our life experiences) As with many immigrant families, our Mama and Baba seldom spoke of the early years of deprivation, loneliness and hard times; through Philip's endeavors, research and interviewing, he taught me how to reach out, to seek records; also be a resource.' By his example, he also demonstrated how important it is to stand up and be counted. I was honored and so proud when he asked me to help Geri Koeppel who was writing a story about the Chinese Telephone Exchange in San Francisco: my mother in law's clan, the Chan Lees of San Francisco and bay areas, were very involved; so, by his guidance, I am becoming a resource.
http://hoodline.com/2016/04/plugged-in-the-fascinating-history-of-the-chinese-telephone-exchange?utm_source=individual-stories&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=stories

Now I am still learning and becoming the historian that Philip was; his work and encouragement have enriched mine forever.

I truly admire Phil's excellent example for all. His humility, generosity, tenacity stressing the importance of our roots. His spirit and passion will always be remembered. gladys wong

I got to know Philip and Sarah when I was on the Board of the Chinese American Council of Sacramento (CACS). Philip and Sarah often came to Sacramento to support CACS. Philip presented at the Author Dinner Lecture series, curated the Chinese Pioneers of Sacramento exhibit permanently displayed in the rotunda of the US Federal Courthouse (1999), and authored Canton Footprints (2007). CACS inducted Philip into its Hall of Fame (2013) at its annual Gold Mountain Celebration honoring his enduring contributions for generations to come.
-Derrick Lim, Sacramento, CA

I met Phil the first time in 2013 when I was in SF to do research on film in Chinatown. What I thought was going to be a quick coffee turned into a day of exploring the streets and the history of Chinatown. By late afternoon, I found myself in Phil's home office, hunched over an original postcard of a Kearny Street movie theater from 1911.

Another time, Phil took me driving around the city to help jog his memory in order to locate the building of an old archive the CHSA once had donated materials to. Needless to say, he found it.

Of the few fortunate times I had the privilege of spending time with Phil, what thrilled me more than the discoveries he helped me make was the depth of his knowledge and the seemingly endless capacity of his memory. But most of all, I was always taken by his incredible kindness.

Phil was a titanic historian and a great man. I count myself very lucky to have known him. Even for a short period of time.

Dear Dr. Philip Choy,
It is always an honour to know you. I am blessed because I am enriched by your ideas and inspired by your mission on history and human stories.

You planted the earliest seeds of American Chinese history in my little brain and they sprouted in my works ever since. Your contribution to the academic field was unquestioned. It was a tremendous honor and privilege for me to have your support and contribution in my documentary film.

I never forget the dinner I cooked for you after sharing my film in your home. It was such a lovely meal, at least, for everyone on the table. It was fabulous because you kept telling me the long struggle of Chinese ancestors in US, the Chinese-built railways, the brilliant and tragedy of human stories as if I see you dig the truth up by the roots in fragile manuscripts and fading historical evidence.

I hope we will honor your spirit, passion, and dedication in all that we do. Thank you very much!

Best regards,

Dear Dr. Philip Choy,
It is always an honour to know you. I am blessed because I am enriched by your ideas and inspired by your mission on history and human stories.

You planted the earliest seeds of American Chinese history in my little brain and they sprouted in my works ever since. Your contribution to the academic field was unquestioned. It was a tremendous honor and privilege for me to have your support and contribution in my documentary film.

I never forget the dinner I cooked for you after sharing my film in your home. It was such a lovely meal, at least, for everyone on the table. It was fabulous because you kept telling me the long struggle of Chinese ancestors in US, the Chinese-built railways, the brilliant and tragedy of human stories as if I see you dig the truth up by the roots in fragile manuscripts and fading historical evidence.

I hope we will honor your spirit, passion, and dedication in all that we do. Thank you very much!

Best regards,

For the past 63 years this man, Phillip P. Choy, was my Uncle Phil. I always knew he was a great man, but I didn't realize how far reaching his influence reached and how many people he touched. We were never close, but that is my loss and my greatest regret.
Thank you Uncle Phil, for just being here for us and the family. You are already missed. I never said this to you before, but I love you.

I was not privileged to know Phil. If I were living in California, fate might allow me to get to know him better. Like him, I am fervently interested in our people's continuing saga in the New World, which I'd include Australasia, my part of the world.

Phil is such a giant in the human race. I'm still learning from him of his humbleness, truthfulness, and caring nature. If everyone has a bit of Phil in him/her, the world will be a much better place for all. I definitely will miss him but thankful that I'm lucky to know him and work with him on and off. Wish I had done more with him. Cathie Lam

It has been an honor and a pleasure to have known and worked with Phil Choy as a CHSA board member. I have known and appreciated Phil's knowledge and dedication to community service as he helped CHSA navigated through to its final permanent home at the YWCA. He is truly dedicated to teaching all of us about the Chinese American experience as part of American history. Phil and Sarah both have demonstrated strength and strong commitment on how to move through complicated times with grace, compassion, and inclusion. We know that they would want us to stay engaged with the process of assuring that people are aware of the continuous Chinese American contributions. Thank you for being a true historian, mentor, and a friend.

Bruce Chin

22 April 2017

My late husband, Paul Louie, and I had known Sarah and Phil for many decades and have enjoyed seeing Phil's reputation grow in proportion to his expertise in writing and mounting exhibits about various aspects of Chinese American history. My children called them Auntie Sarah and Uncle Phil. And Phil, with his wonderful sense of humor, loved to tell that he spent his first date with Sarah babysitting the two oldest sons when they were toddlers. When our family lived in Los Angeles, Paul, who was one of the three founders of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, often consulted Phil on the history of the Chinese in southern California. Due to Phil's knowing its importance, the Chinese Historical Society in America received the Dan Ching Collection of images of the Chinese in the early 20th century.
I am thankful that Phil and Sarah were a part of my life.

It is always a great loss to lose an angel and a hero such as Phil. But surely he will be looking over us from above and we down here will continue the good fight. So sorry to miss your send off as I am out of state. Blessings to all for our loss. Nancy Wang

Phil Choy was an inspiration to many of us from coast to coast --in Asian American studies, architecture and activism. I got to know him during my board tenure at CHSA and he was always welcoming and exuded remarkable warmth and compassion. He will always be our mentor, teacher and friend.

I see Phil Choy as one of our important people in the SF Chinese community. I appreciated knowing him from when I worked @ CAA in the 1980s.
Donna Jung
formerly SF, now Oakland, CA

I met Phil Choy when I was scanning Chinese Certificates of Identities at the National Archives in San Bruno years ago...

I had been years since Phil has seen me... One day, while I was shopping at the San Francisco Costco, he calls out my name from behind.

Dear Randy,

We were saddened to hear about the passing of your father last month. Richard Kung had sent us a message about the service tomorrow at Treasure Island. Unfortunately, Pat and I will not be able to attend the ceremony. Please accept our condolences on your father's passing. Your dad seemed an immensely fun person as well as someone who fought very hard for the fair treatment of Asians, based on the story of his life that we read, and we're sure he will be missed.

Our best wishes to you and your family. Hopefully, we will get to see you sometime in the near future.

Best regards,

Stuart and Pat Lum

I served on the CHSA board with Phil for many years, including the establishment of the current museum. The society could not be what it is today without his urging. He will be sorely missed.

I've known of Phil Choy most of my life. His youngest son, Brian, and I were in the same Cameron House club. And my sister, Debbie, and Phil's other son, Randy, were also in the same group at CH.

As an adult, I got to know Phil better from our association with the Chinatown Community Development Center. Such an eloquent and wise soul. Phil always had his priorities straight.

But I'll always remember him as the cool Chinatown dad in the turtleneck.

I was saddened to hear of Phil's passing.
He was a game-changer who bravely chronicled Chinese history on the pages of our nation's diary. Early in 2015 I started working on saving Chinese cultural resources in Folsom, California and eventually found myself at his door. As I'm sure Sarah and Phil had with many local historians, they invited me in, sat me down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and listened to the familiar tale of urban development vs saving Chinese cultural resources. With humor and guidance, they fortified me, educated me, let me peek into some of the rare books in the library, and sent me on my way with enough confidence to stay the course. Thanks to Phil I met people who opened doors to knowledge and action. He was always patient, gracious and full of energetic enthusiasm before his beloved Sarah died. After her death, his enthusiasm turned to quiet urgency which bolstered my resolve not to give up on the Folsom project. My heartfelt condolences go out to his lovely family. He also will be missed by the larger community he gathered around himself; his legacy will be carried on by countless people like me...grateful to have known him and grateful to have spent a little time with both Phil and Sarah.

Doug and I had the most pleasant memories of the oral history interviews we conducted in the writing of Canton Footprints. I would elect for Sara and Phil to be my honorary parents being so loving, kind and generous inspiring all of us with innovative progressive ideas. Phil was a unique leader lighting the way
with a humble and charismatic flashlight.

Phil and Him Mark Lai were not only historians, they made history. Supporting civil rights and equality in their youth, they were veteran champions of justice long before I met them at Chinese for Affirmative Action in the early 70s. Their dedication to Chinese Americans' stories is the legacy they leave to many generations.

Katheryn Fong

As a historian, Phil rocked the boat and became the rock we stand on. Phil was my mentor, friend and inspiration. I hear his voice always. With love and gratitude,
Connie Young Yu

Both Phil and Sarah had a long relationship with my family from the time Sarah was a parishioner at True Sunshine Church when my grandfather Rev. Daniel Wu was presiding, through years later when Phil came to my Mom and Dad's home to interview my Dad Dr.Thomas Wu about the old Chinatown bands. My husband Chuck and I always appreciated Phil's vast knowledge of history, his sense of humor, and his devotion to the Chinese Historical Society of America. Laurene Wu McClain

As tribute to Philip Choy & condolences to the family members.

Raj Kumar
kumarCADD

Mr Philip Choy Army service during World War II earned him the status of "America's Greatest Generation". Tom Brokaw once asserted that this generation developed values of "personal responsibility, duty, honor and faith". This is what made America great. It was their service that build America's economy and preserve our freedom and democracy that we cherished and valued. Thank you for your dedicated service to our nation's cause.

Raymond Wong, Commander - VFW 91st Division/Chinatown Post 4618 San Francisco

Super Thanks & Super Blessing to a Super Hero & Pioneer - Phil Choy! You have served the community with heart & soul and now you belong to the ages! Rev. Norman Fong

I wanted to post my tribute to Philip Choy because he was an important pioneer for Chinese American historians. I grew up in Stockton in a vibrant Chinese American community but it was not until I arrived at Cal Berkeley in 1977 and took an Asian American history class that I understood what our community had gone through since arriving in Gold Mountain. Later my cousin Lani Ah Tye wrote a book on my maternal family history in detail, and followed in the shoes of people like Philip Choy . . . Their importance as chroniclers of our history cannot be understated. Rest in peace, Philip Choy for a life well lived and a job well done.

In my "golden years", I discovered Mr.Choy and appreciate how much he did for us Chinese-Americans growing up in USA Chinatowns in the 1940's and the history of Chinese immigrants coming to America.

Wish I had a big brother like Mr. Choy.

Your work with your beloved Chinese Historical Society of America honored your community, the state, and the Nation. As directors, we were truly blessed by the energy of your life. And by the way, Phil, I liked your books -- a lot.

Phil was a primary mentor for those of us who first put together Chinese American Studies, right at the dawn of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Nowadays people can pursue PhD's in the discipline at campuses like UC Berkeley and UCLA. That initial wave of Ethnic Studies scholars and instructors was motivated by the likes of Phil to thoroughly document the CA experience. We conducted, from the early 1970s going forward, oral history forays into the small town California hinterland, interviewing anyone who would give us time. Included in that field research enterprise was coverage' of those still around from the first and second generation of Asian Americans in the Hollywood entertainment industry. Phil was one of a kind & will be missed more than we can imagine at this time.

Sorry for your loss. May you find peace and hope by trusting in God. Romans 15:13.

I came to know Phil through his beloved wife, Sarah. Sarah befriended me when I visited CHSA in 2005, giving me a privately-led tour of the museum as we chatted about how Chinatown's community, life, and culture brought us to where we were that day. My wife and I were soon to adopt a baby girl from China. Sarah extended congratulations to us and a warm invitation to introduce our daughter to her and her husband upon our next visit to San Francisco. Thus began an ever-strengthening bond between Phil & Sarah and myself and my family over the next 12 years. Sarah and Phil extended their generosity and hospitality to us and especially, to our daughter, that I will forever cherish. Many lunches in Chinatown with them and visits to their home on Russian Hill will always be fondly remembered. We were deeply saddened to hear of Sarah's passing two years ago, and it is with an equally heavy heart that we bear the news of Phil's as well. I, personally, feel all the more enriched for having Phil and Sarah share part of their lives with myself and my family.