In Remembrance of Chi Kwong Fu
Chi Kwong Fu died peacefully on February 7, 2021 after battling complications from Covid-induced pneumonia. His family was by his side as he took his place among the stars. He was 75.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Fung Yi; his children, Michelle, Lilly, Lisa (Chris), Peter and Anna; and his grand-daughter, Mackenzie.
A viewing will be held at Wah Wing Sang Funeral Home on Thursday, February 11th at 26 Mulberry Street from 10am — 12pm followed by a private cremation for the family.
Flowers are welcomed. As an expression of sympathy, contributions may be made to the VoiceLove Project.
Chi Kwong was born in Guangdong, China, during the time of Japanese occupation and growing national resistance. His formative years were marked by political upheaval, war, and famine. This created in him the determination that would eventually bring him and his family across the globe in search of a better life.
One particular defining incident solidified his resolve to leave his place of birth. As an adolescent during the Cultural Revolution, Chi Kwong toiled on communal farmland, and only traveled back to visit family during the Lunar New Year. On his journey back to his home village of Shun De, Chi Kwong bought geese with the money he saved up. He planned to cook the geese for the reunion dinner. When he returned home, the geese were confiscated.
Chi Kwong was blacklisted from obtaining a formal education due to his lineage. However, that never stopped him from forging ahead. With the end goal of seeking freedom in Hong Kong, he ingeniously created a compass out of magnets and a needle that he used to help him, his wife as well as several others flee south.
He and his wife trekked for days through mountainous forests to reach the water’s edge. They successfully evaded rifled border guards and their dogs, swam hours across the bay, and finally landed on the rocky oyster-lined shores of Hong Kong complete with seashell scars.
Life in Hong Kong brought to him a love of horse racing, a pastime that he thoroughly enjoyed even after emigrating to New York. He studied racing forms and took meticulous notes, and talked about the Triple Crown with enthusiasm.
Chi Kwong also loved Cantonese operas, classical music, and the arts. He read Tang Dynasty poems, danced the Cha Cha, and traveled wherever his children fancied. But what he relished the most was cooking for his family, and having a good meal with everyone.
After he retired from working in restaurants, he continued to take the role of family cook with great pride. He was often found in the kitchen humming opera tunes while prepping batches of food, chatting about cooking techniques and ingredients to anyone willing to listen. His dumpling-making skills and old fire soups are legendary.
Chi Kwong had a belly laugh that matched his jovial, easy-going nature. He was a simple man that didn’t need much other than the company of his loved ones, and was always at the ready to fix a meal for a hungry soul.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
