1932 - 2017
Thomas Mack passed away peacefully on February 2, 2017 at St.Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon after a short illness. He is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Violet; daughters Shirley (Gary) Fong of Toronto, Lilah (Bryan) Weinberger of Saskatoon, Judy(David) Fisher of Saskatoon, and son Dudley of Toronto; mother Sue Lau; grand-children Krista, Megan, Jade, Benjamin, Stephanie, Matthew, Mitchell, Ryan; cousin Edward (Susan) Mack of Edmonton; Angela Lok of Regina; numerous nieces and nephews; many friends. Thomas Mack (Sing Bong) was born in the Toisan Chinese village of Hum Hong on September 4, 1932 and raised by his mother in a time of war, drought and economic depression. They persevered, and in 1950 both moved to Hong Kong where Tom graduated high school. In 1953, together with his cousin (and lifelong friend) Eddie Mack, Tom decided to seek his fortune in Canada. Their travels took them to Balcarres, Saskatchewan where they both decided to put down roots. He spent his first 6 years in Balcarres working 14 hour days in a cafe for room and board. At this same time he took correspondence courses to learn how to repair the popular new household item called "television". In 1959 Tom became a business entrepreneur, opening Mack Radio & TV Sales & Service. For 26 years he owned and operated this successful business selling and repairing radios and TV's (as well as installing countless rooftop antennas) throughout the Qu'appelle Valley. In 1960 Tom met and married the love of his life Violet (Lau). Together they raised 3 daughters and a son (Shirley, Lilah, Judy and Dudley). Tom was always proud of the fact that all his children attended university and enjoy successful careers. In 1983 Tom moved his family to "the big city" of Regina where he soon opened a new business: a Chinese book and grocery shop. This move also saw the start of his thirty two year membership with The Regina Chinese Benevolent Association. As his children moved out and started their own lives, the shop sustained Tom until he retired in 1999. In 2015 Tom and Violet moved to Saskatoon to be closer to their kids (and grandkids). The life Thomas Mack made in Saskatchewan included prosperous businesses, a beloved wife, devoted (and educated) children, and good friends. He was the original immigrant success story who considered himself "…just a simple fellow.".A Visitation will be held at Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre, 915 Acadia Drive on Saturday February 11, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service being held at the same location on Sunday February 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Following the service interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Tommy’s memory directly to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca or the Royal University Hospital Emergency Unit at www.ruhf.org
Messages of remembrance may be left for the family at www.acadiamckaguesfuneralcentre.com
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