Wai Tong Hong passed away on February 15, 2024. He was born on December 2, 1928 in Kwang Tung Village, Toi San, Guangdong, China. In 1947 he married Lau Chun Hang. Three years later in 1950, they were blessed with their first daughter, Liwanna. On Independence Day, July 4, 1951, Wai Tong Hong emigrated to the United States and lived in San Francisco for several years. In the meantime, his family moved to Hong Kong in 1956. After missing his family for 10 years, he went to Hong Kong to visit his family. In 1962, his second daughter, Lianna, was born. Wai’s older sister, Bo Gee Hong, applied to have his family emigrate to the United States. His mother arrived in the United States in 1969. His wife and daughters were reunited with him in 1973 and joined him in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In Salt Lake City, Wai Tong Hong worked at the Ding Ho Café. He worked as a cashier, greeter, host, and did other duties that needed to be done in the restaurant. At work, he always greeted his co-workers, customers and friends with a broad smile and a friendly handshake. His heartwarming greeting illuminated genuine warmth and friendship to whomever was around him.
In his spare time, Wai Tong Hong enjoyed a variety of activities. He loved to work in his garden. He grew a variety of Chinese vegetables, Chinese melons, and fruit trees. He grew bounteous amounts of winter melons, cherries, Asian pears, grapes, and red dates (jujube berries). He willingly shared his harvest with his friends, relatives, and neighbors.
Wai Tong Hong loved animals and used to have two dogs at home. He stocked an aquarium with goldfish and was fascinated with them gliding around the tank. On family excursions and trips, he would always look forward to visiting the aviaries, zoos, and aquariums in the city. Although his family resources were limited, he enjoyed his trips to San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, and other places.
He enjoyed watching TV shows, especially Chinese musicals such as operas, concerts, and variety shows. He also watched Chinese dancing and talent performances. In later years, as his hearing deteriorated, he would turn up the TV so loud that he could feel the thumping rhythm of the music.
He liked to gamble. He enjoyed playing mahjong with friends at the Bink Kong Tong Chinese Associations building. He would take occasional trips with friends and relatives to Wendover, Nevada and play the slot machines. He enjoyed pulling the machine handle and watching the wheels spin. However, he never let the thrill of gambling overcome his obligations to his family. His losses or gains were always minimal and never affected family resources. He always thought of his family first.
Wai Tong Hong’s favorite foods included Chinese BBQ and Chinese fried foods. He enjoyed eating al kinds of Seafood such as lobster, shrimp, clams, squid, and all shellfish. However, he didn’t care much for fish.
Although he had minimal training, Wai Tong Hong was able to fix things around the house through pluck, intelligence, and resourcefulness. He was able to connect cables to media devices with media players, antennas, and power sources so that they were operational. He would repair many household items, small appliances, flooring, furniture, and other things around the home.
His biggest love and concern have always been his family. When family members needed things, he would go out and pick up these items as quickly as possible. When work and service was needed around the house, he would jump at the task and perform the necessary job. This attitude also carried beyond their home. When others asked for help, he would take that same enthusiasm of service and help volunteer his time and energy to help them.
Upon his retirement in 1990, Wai Tong Hong spent time at home caring for family members. He had a particularly soft spot for his granddaughter, Michelle. He would dote on her unceasingly. Whatever she wanted, he would get for her. He would do anything for her. Wai Tong Hong was a long-time cigarette smoker. His wife and daughters tirelessly urged him to stop smoking with no success. Finally, his granddaughter told him to quit smoking and he immediately stopped cold turkey.
Wai Tong Hong’s contribution to society will be his love, devotion, and service to his family, friends, co-workers, and others he’s met. We’ll remember his broad, infectious smile, and the cheer he brings to people around him. He has left us with a fond and heart-warming legacy in our life.
Funeral services for Wai Tong Hong will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108. A viewing will be held at 10:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment to take place at Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 North N Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.