Obituary of Allan Leong

December 12, 1936 - Canton, China

October 4, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

At long last reunited with the love of his life, Allan (Chee Yun) Leong passed away peacefully on October 4, 2022, magically in the same hospital room where his darling wife Eva Leong (nee Lee) passed away in 2005.

Allan is survived by his daughter Jamie Leong-Huxley and son-in-law Tim Huxley, son Jason Leong and daughter-in-law Julie Leong (nee Skinner), and his two grandchildren, Jade Leong and Jackson Leong, who will forever miss their Goong Goong.

He was a sibling, sibling-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, and cousin to many, and all meant so much to him. Dad was honoured to be Uncle Allan, which meant lots and lots of joking around, cool cars, shopping, adventures, treats and great meals.

Born in Canton, China in 1936, Allan left his small village for “Gold Mountain”. In 1952 he travelled by steamer and train, arriving in Vancouver as a “Paper Son”. His family paid another family to falsify Dad’s identity as their son returning to Canada from a visit home, a privilege few had. The Canadian government allowed these illegal immigrants to reclaim their true identities in 1967, ending decades of inequities that started with the Head Tax.

It was in Vancouver in 1956 that he met third-generation Western Canadian Eva, marrying in 1957. The two lived, worked and played together, spent many hours on the dance floor and loved watching sports on TV. Whether it was their home in Vancouver or Calgary, it was always a come-any-time gathering place for family and friends.

Dad’s first job in Canada was working at Uncle Jimmy’s store – he was a real uncle. He packed wood shingles at a sawmill and worked at a dry cleaner. With Mom they operated a grocery store in Vancouver until it was lost in a major fire.

From 1978 to 2001, Branton Junior High students frequented Capitol Food Store for their daily dose of junk food. The family’s business was a hub of the Banff Trail community, where customers were truly friends. 

Community and volunteering were a big part of his character, both in the neighbourhood and through the Shon Yee Benevolent Society which was the source of lifelong friendships. He received the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International, nominated by the son of an elderly customer for help Dad provided to his mom and others. It is an honour bestowed by Rotary for outstanding community commitment and service.

Dad spent his last six years at Clover Living, an awesome private seniors’ supportive care community. From his balcony he could see Calgary’s downtown and Chinatown, and he raised a beautiful balcony garden. Thank you, friends, at Clover Living who welcomed the Leongs into your hearts and took great care of our dad and Goong Goong. To his caregivers, thank you for all the support you gave him over the years – he loved you all. A special thanks to Alisa Chan at Alberta Health Services. To the Emergency Department and Unit 61 at the Foothills Medical Centre – your charm and care was outstanding as you responded to Dad’s stroke.

We hope you will join our Celebration of Allan’s Life at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 - 1 St SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. If you would like to join us by live stream, please contact timhuxley@shaw.ca. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with Allan’s family here. Please no flowers or donations, instead celebrate Allan and Eva’s life together, and do something nice for a family member or neighbour.

In living memory of Allan Leong, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.