Mr. You-Tan Tong

Beloved husband of Shu-Chin (“Anne”) Tong, father of Larry and Frank, and grandfather of Kati and William, You-Tan was known for his forthrightness, integrity, stoicism, and unconventional sense of humor.

He was an innovative engineer who oversaw significant hydroelectric projects, first in Taiwan and later in Ontario Canada, that improved the lives of residents.

Born on March 3, 1932 in Zhejiang China, the fourth child of six, You-Tan grew up during tumultuous times. He lived through World War II, multiple relocations of his family during the war, and the Communist Revolution of 1949. Exceptional in his studies, his father hoped that his son would have a bright future despite the rapidly changing landscape of China. When a single ticket on one of the last ships to Taiwan suddenly became available, it was decided that he should be the one to go. At age 17, You-Tan left home and crossed the Taiwan strait to join his elder sister and her husband who had made the journey just months earlier.

Through hard work and perseverance, You-Tan completed his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1954 at National Taiwan University, where he made many lifelong friends. After graduation, he took a national professional engineering exam, ranking first overall. Soon thereafter, he was appointed as a leading supervisor for the ShiMen Dam hydroelectric project from 1955-1964, which helped to power the future of Taiwan. In 1963, he was introduced to Lin Shu-Chin (林淑琴), an effervescent and youthful bank manager, with whom he became instantly enchanted. Again, through steadfast effort and perseverance, he eventually won her affection and they engaged in 1964, marrying by June of that year. Together, they had two children spanning two countries and continents, Hai Yang (海楊, Larry) who was born in Taiwan and Hai Jia (海嘉, Frank) who was born in Canada.

With the hopes of creating a better future for his family, You-Tan applied to several graduate engineering programs abroad. He gained admission to the University of Waterloo in Canada, ultimately completing his MA in 1967 and PhD in 1974. In 1968, Shu-Chin flew with Hai Yang to join her husband in their new home. In 1971, they moved to Toronto where You-Tan pursued a longstanding career with Ontario Hydro, a true iron bowl (鐵碗) position. During periods of leisure, he enjoyed playing mahjong, weiqi, and bridge with many close friends. Over time, You-Tan and Shu-Chin developed a growing spirit of community in their newfound home and country.

In 1979, he participated in the first National Infrastructure Conference organized by the Taiwanese government (國家建設研究會). You-Tan and a few dozen engineers were invited to attend this inaugural conference, and had the distinct honor of meeting with President Chiang Ching-kuo who tried to encourage them to return to Taiwan to help build upon its infrastructure.

After decades of attentively waiting, in 1987 You-Tan was finally able to book a round-trip flight to China so he could reunite with his siblings and their families for a short while. Together with his lifelong partner Shu-Chin, they traveled to many faraway places in Asia and Southeast Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Alaska, Egypt, Israel, and South America, traversing as far south as Patagonia. He retired from Ontario Hydro in 1995 and enjoyed his many days thereafter, traveling, watching favorite TV programs, reading, going for walks with family, and further honing his skills at weiqi. You-Tan is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife Shu-Chin, his sons Larry Tong and Frank Tong, and his grandchildren Katharine Tong and William Tong.