Obituary of Wing Him Woo

WOO, Wing Him of Calgary, Alberta

September 30, 1930 – March 12, 2023

Wing Him Woo of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the age of 92 years. He was born in Foshan, Guangzhou on September 30, 1930.

Besides his loving wife of 65 years, Shui Hing Woo, Wing Him is survived by his children, May Chan (Nathan), Betty Chow (Chiu), Tony Woo (Julia), and John Woo (Lisa); eleven beloved grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; as well as two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his younger brother Jim Woo.

In November 1958, Wing Him earned enough money to go back to Hong Kong and persuade his true love to become his wife in Canada. He had four kids in five years, which meant he had to keep working two jobs to make ends meet. In 1976, he had the opportunity to establish roots in a grocery store in lower Mount Royal, along 17 Ave the heart of what we now call the Red Mile. Alongside his hardworking wife, they finally were able to accumulate some savings.

Dad provided and assimilated his family to Canadian culture at every opportunity. Friday nights were full of surprises of comics, creamsicles, and chocolate bars. This progressed to closing the store for one week a year to take us places like Sylvan Lake, and Vancouver for annual vacations like all the other Canadian families. In recent years, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 2018.

In his retirement, he found a way to serve his community.  He volunteered himself to the Gee How Oak Tin Association in various roles, from support roles to Association President for many years. He assisted seniors, Chinese citizens, and helped administer the scholarships to students to encourage them in educational advancement. He was well respected, and everyone enjoyed being around him. Wing Him was a man of integrity and instilled life principles and values in all of us by the way he lived. Dad and mom had a great life and enjoyed many friends and always encouraged close family relations. They traveled around the world with friends and relatives frequently.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the team of caregivers and his children who were able to serve and love Wing Him through the challenges. He was a great husband and dad. Even when his cognition diminished, one thing he still had was love.  And that was the greatest legacy that remains – LOVE.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Monday, March 20, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, 403-243-8200) on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queens Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Wing Him Woo may be made directly to https://www.samaritanspurse.ca/turkey or https://haventoday.ca/product/aide-for-ukraine/.

In living memory of Wing Him Woo, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.