May 13, 1930 – September 13, 2024
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Beloved husband, Daddy, Gong Gong and Buk Gong, Ken Ho Yee, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2024, aged 94, at Laurel Place Hospice Residence in the arms of loved ones. Ken was born in the village of Wang Hang Li in Taisan, China in 1930. His father, Wee Hok (Frank) Yee, was on a visit home to China during Canada’s infamous Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 (Chinese Exclusion Act) to marry Tung Lun Gee, returning to Canada before his second son was born. Ken, along with his mother, immigrated to Canada in 1951 when Ken met his father for the very first time—he was 21 years old. The family first settled in Pense, Saskatchewan, eventually moving to Indian Head, Saskatchewan and in 1952 purchased the Rainbow Café. In 1957, Ken married Ling Chee Lee, also a recent emigrant from Taisan, China. The pair had four children in Indian Head before moving to British Columbia, where their fifth child was born.
In 1969, the family settled in Surrey, BC, where Ken worked at a local corner store, the Lucky Dollar, which he eventually purchased and operated with his partner, Verland Jong, until 1976. In 1977, Ken and Ling opened their own store, K & L Food Market, in the Green Timbers area of Surrey. Ken worked long hours, keeping the store open until 10:00 pm every day, and he never took holidays. He would even open for a few hours on Christmas day, knowing that at least a few of his regulars would be grateful they could pick up that one thing they forgot. He worked those long hours so that his children could have the opportunities he did not. Ken and Ling sold the store in 1993 and retired.
Ken returned to his home village in 1992—the first time he would set foot on Chinese soil in 41 years. Ken and Ling took many trips in their early retirement years, including three trips to China and Hong Kong, and a cruise to the Caribbean. But after their last trip in 1996, Ken decided he was done with travelling and just wanted to be at home and enjoy regular family dinners with his kids and grandkids. He loved desserts—apple pie was his all-time favourite—strong coffee, watching football (CFL or NFL) and mostly, WWE. But above all else, Ken loved his family and all he wanted for any of his children was for them to be happy. He will always be remembered for his generosity, gentle nature and his joyous laugh.
Ken is survived by Ling, their children May (Michael), Linda (Sandy), Douglas (Tammy), Elaine (Lee) and Kiki (Erland); their grandchildren Lindsay (Gandalf), Andrew, Kelsey (Simrin), Sean (Kirsten), Rachel, August, Erika and Ewan; and their great-grandchildren Thomas, Lucas, Isabelle, William, Connor and Charlie.
A visitation service will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3M1. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Surrey Hospitals Foundation and designate your gift to Laurel Place Care Centre using the link below.
Surrey Hospitals Foundation (crowdchange.ca)
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