HUNG YUEN LEE

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HUNG YUEN LEE Peacefully, on October 21, 2005, Hung Yuen Lee passed away at the Victoria General Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife Yuk Lun Chan in 1982. Hung Yuen is survived by his nine children, sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Elaine, Henry and Sophia, Poi and Amy, Wayne and Yen-Ching, Ivan and Mui-Ling, Doman and Alice, and Paul; daughters and sons-in-law, Mei-Fung and Chung-Wan Leong, Ivy and Stanley Leong; 18 grandchildren, Peter (Mary Ann), Lillian, Patricia (Keith Jarvi), Andy, Felix, Elsa, Erick, Quenifer, Jimmy, Frank, Victor, David, Cina, Cindy Koon, Lisa Koon, Maggie Koon, Melissa Leong, Tiffany Leong; and seven great-grandchildren, Conrad, Garret, Christina, Jessica Martin, Jonathan Jarvi, Stephanie Jarvi and Caroline Jarvi; and numerous friends and admirers. Born in China in 1913, Hung Yuen was educated at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen University in China and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agriculture in 1938. He immigrated to Canada in 1964 and settled in Winnipeg as a co-owner of the Shanghai Restaurant in Chinatown. Soon afterwards, he became increasingly active and involved in community and charitable work through the Chinese Benevolent Association, a non-profit organization. In 1974, Hung Yuen was elected President of the association. He was a leader in organizing the well-known annual Winnipeg multi-cultural festival, Folklorama, for over 15 years. To celebrate the Winnipeg Centennial year in 1974, Hung Yuen coordinated and provided major contributions for the construction of a Chinese Pavilion in the Assiniboine Park as a gift from the Winnipeg Chinese Community to the City of Winnipeg. Through his liaison work, the City of Winnipeg and the City of Tai-Chung in the Republic of China (Taiwan) became sister cities in 1982. Most importantly, Hung Yuen had a grand vision for the renewal of Winnipeg's Chinatown and devoted much of his efforts towards this goal. With the support from all three levels of government, he led a feasibility study for the renewal of the Winnipeg Chinatown in 1972 and played an essential role in the rejuvenation of the area from 1981 to 1986. In conjunction with the Core Area Initiative, a program of the three levels of government, the construction of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre complex on King Street, the beautification of its immediate area and the construction of a large multi-dwelling building were accomplished. Hung Yuen's vision for the Winnipeg Chinese community was to establish a foundation to support future projects of the Winnipeg Chinese community, and accordingly played a lead role as a major donor to the Winnipeg Foundation for that purpose. The Lee family would gratefully acknowledge the fine care of Dr. K. Penner, Dr. Vincent Taraska, Dr. Clement Yeung, Dr. Joseph Du, Dr. T. Luk and the nursing staff of the Victoria General Hospital. Viewing will take place on Thursday, October 27 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre (180 King St., 2nd Flr.), and funeral service will be held also at the Cultural Centre on Friday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor John Lee officiating. Interment to follow at the Elmwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Hon. Pearl McGonigal, C.M., O.M., Hon. Peter Liba, C.M., O.M., Dr. William Norrie, C.M., O.M., Dr. Joseph Du, C.M., O.M., Philip Lee, C.M., and Louis Lee. Pallbearers will be Hung Yuen's grandsons and relatives. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Hung Yuen Lee's memory may be made to the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, 180 King St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 3G8. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements. 775-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 26, 2005