Kim Hong: Radiation Oncologist, community builder, loving husband, father and grandfather. Born in Guangdong Province (Village of Tailong) in the District of Toison, China on February 15, 1937; died peacefully on July 13, 2020 at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, NL after a period of illness.
Kim had an incredible life journey which has left a profound impact on many people including his children, grandchildren, friends and the community. In 1950, at the age of 13, Kim moved to Canada from China, with very little English skills, to join his grandfather at the John Lee Laundry, an old-fashioned hand laundry on Gower Street in St. John’s. He completed all eleven grades in eight years at Bishop Feild College in St. John’s. Through hard work and dedication, he was able to put himself through medical school at Dalhousie University.
He was best known for his passion and commitment as a Radiation Oncologist for nearly 35 years in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, providing cancer care to thousands of people until his retirement in 2007. Kim was instrumental in the development of the Newfoundland Cancer Clinic (currently known as the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre) and its outreach program throughout the province. He would typically perform several clinics per year across the island in Corner Brook, Grand Falls, Burin and Gander. His involvement in teaching at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) medical school resulted in his appointed as Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiotherapy at MUN in 1973, and a Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology in 1983.
Kim was also a leader in the Chinese and multicultural communities in Newfoundland. In 1976, he was the founding President of the Chinese Association of Newfoundland and Labrador where his vision was to “make us better citizens of the land and by trying to achieve that, you would have social events and functions, integrate with the larger community and thereby become better citizens.” In 1979, he was a co-founder of the Newfoundland Multicultural Council and appointed to the Canadian Council of Multiculturalism by the Federal Government of Canada. In 2018, he was awarded the Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal in honour of his work as a radiation oncologist and community leader.
Kim will be remembered for his compassion, kindness and his desire to lend a helping hand. Leaving to celebrate his life: wife of 56 years, Mely, and their children David (Lisa Hong), Debbie (Robert Drielsma), Derrick (Beverly Hong), Dianne (Greg Anderson), and Dean (Cheryl Hong) along with nine grandchildren (Emily, Devon, Jack, James, Matthew, Sam, Joseph, Erin, and Brandon). Also, his mother (Kwan Song Hum) who had joined Kim in Canada in 1967 and recently turned 100 years old in March of this year, and his sister Jane Mah (Jim Mah).
Private funeral service held on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Carnell’s Funeral Home followed by a burial at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A larger celebration of Kim’s life will be planned for this fall after COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Kim Hong Endowment Fund which honours the importance Kim placed on continuing education for health care professionals of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre and affiliated regional cancer programs (donations should be specifically directed to: Dr. Kim Hong Endowment Fund c/o Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation).
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Kim Hong February 15 1937 to July 13 2020..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N
Dear Jane and Jim and all your dear family, my condolences. I was speaking of you to a new friend Julie Hong who, an Ottawan, may be related to your family. Her grandfather lived for a time in NL. Our conversation last week led to my knowing today of your brother’s death. I am so sorry for your loss and for Kim’s large and lovely family. What a legacy he left for all of us in NL. I hope you are all safe and well. I wish you the very best now as we all prepare to cope with the months ahead.