Shu Yam Lee, 93, passed away March 8, 2016. He was born August 10, 1922 in rural Toishan, China, where he met and married Woo Pui Kim. With great determination to build a better life for his family, he left his hometown at 38 to work in Hong Kong and, later, Canada. He worked hard alongside his eldest daughter in Baddeck, Nova Scotia as a chef at Wong's Restaurant. Shu Yam dedicated every dollar to Pui Kim and his five children still in China at the time. He soon sponsored the immigration of all his children. Unfortunately, his wife passed away and did not ever make it to Canada. Shu Yam's unwavering love for his children, as well as his treasured letters from his deceased wife, kept him strong and happy through the years and he never remarried.
Shu Yam also loved his hometown dearly and, even after the immigration of his children, continued to contribute funds to help build a school and to worship his ancestors.
Shu Yam is survived by his younger brother, She Pei; six children, Violet (Peter) Wong, April (Dick) Wong, Sam (Kim), Jim (Susan), Jason (Kerri) and John (Mimi); nineteen grandchildren, Annie (Sandy) Campbell, Alex (Wendy) Wong, Joanne (John) Kerr, Julie (Joseph) Ho, Edward (Brenda) Wong, Carl (Charmaine) Wong, Garry (Lorna) Lee, Derek (Yan) Lee, Steven (Tina) Lee, Cindy (Bong) Yang, Dan Lee, Berry Lee, Jeff Lee, Amy Lee, Elizabeth (Andrew) Zhong, Ben Lee, Shaun Lee, Richard Lee and Jennie Lee; Twenty one great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. With a life time of hard work behind him, Shu Yam succeeded in his dream to build a better life for his future generations. His family is forever grateful for his love and he will forever be missed.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of A H Brown Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361). Visitation was held at the Elgin Mills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 1591 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, Ontario on Monday, March 14, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm followed by the Funeral Service on Tuesday, March 15, at 11:30 am. Burial to follow in the Elgin Mills Cemetery.
For those wishing to place a memorial donation, you may do so to a charity of choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Shu Yam's online memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the funeral home Facebook Page.