Mr. Kum Chun Choo

1926 - 2014

Kum Chun passed away peacefully on January 15, 2014 surrounded

by his family. He was predeceased by his first wife Yun Ngan and his

brother Henry. He is survived by his second wife Lai Sun, children

Esther (Daniel), Helen (Wallace), Sam (Juliana), Stephen (Frances),

grandchildren Christina (Michael), Alina (Justin), Trevor, Matthew,

Nicole, Vincent and Katelyn. “Kum” came to Canada in 1956.

He co-founded and co-operated Sunshine Market for 32 years.

Viewing will take place on Mon. Jan 20, 7-9 p.m. and the funeral

service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014

at Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial St. Burnaby, B.C

Kum Chun was born in 1926 in Poon Yue, Guangdong, China; deceased on Jan 15, 2014.

To mourn his death are his wife, 2 daughters, 2 sons and 7 grandchildren.

He came to Canada in 1956 to join his father and younger brother Henry for a better life, leaving behind his pregnant wife (Yun Ngan) and two daughters ( Esther & Helen ). Life was not easy. At first, he worked at a saw mill in Port Alberni and learned whatever English he could. After couple years of saving every penny, he and his brother went into the grocery business in Vancouver. They jointly owned and operated Sunshine Market 7 days per week and 365 days of the year. Their normal work day was 14 hours. Through changes of Canadian government policy, Kum’s wife and the 3 children finally came to Canada for unification in l964. Kum saw his son Sam for the first time. In 1965, God blessed him with a second son Stephen. But he lost his wife Yun Ngan to cancer in 1976. Kum remarried Lai Sun and they both worked hard in the store for many years.

Through hard work of both families, Sunshine Market prospered over the decades. Kum and Henry became very successful in managing the grocery business.

After 32 years of operating Sunshine Market, Kum finally retired in 1990. He had more time to reconnect with his many friends for travelling, cruising and playing mahjong. He made many mahjong tables for his friends and family. He also liked to grow vegetables in his back yard to give away to his children, neighbors, and friends.

Kum remained active and supportive in Yue Shan Society & Oi Quong Society for many years. Especially with Oi Quong Society, he served as vice-president twice and held other posts. He enjoyed driving down to Oi Quong in Chinatown and spent the afternoon there sharing conversation pieces with his buddies.

Aside from being honest and hard working, Kum was a man of principles, determination and self reliance. He was also a very caring husband. He challenged himself to care for his dementia stricken wife Lai Sun till his own health failed in 2012.

Kum also took pride for being a good father and grandfather. He was always overjoyed to see everyone. His greatest passion was to go out to eat and had to be with the whole family.

Kum passed away peacefully in Burnaby Hospital last Wed. night with the whole family at his bed side.