LAWRENCE PO
1927 – 2022
Mr. Lawrence Po, age 95 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Lawrence was born in Bassein on February 8, 1927. His grandfather Dr. Sir San C. Po, KT, C.B.E, MD, USA was a commander of the Order of the British Empire, appointed by King George V. He was born in Go Hsu Village, Bassein on October 4, 1870 and died of illness at the age of 76 on June 7, 1946. Lawrence Po’s father was Lionel Vanderveer Po, Lt. Colonel and was a soldier in WWI and WWII and was the Brigade Propaganda Officer (Chinthit Wingate Troops), one of the pioneer warriors for democracy. He was first offered the G.O.C post for Independent Burma by General Thomas, but General Smith Doan took up the offer. Lawrence’s mother was Laura Hmway Po and she was a teacher, teaching at Pwo Karen High School at Pathem, and also at Brayton High School in Yangon, Myanmar.
Lawrence Po was an immigration officer in 1951 and was an English Special Trainer at Kyar Kyawn High School. He was also a singer and sang English and Karen languages at broadcasting services. He was a superintendent at the Steel Mill Board in Burma, where he trained the engineers the English language before they went to foreign countries. Lawrence left Burma in 1982 with all of his family members and immigrated to Canada in 2003. He worked as a translator for the Karen Refugee Committee in Thailand and at the Thai Burmese Border as well as for the English news reporters.
Lawrence was the oldest of 7 and was proud of his younger siblings. His sister Letty Po was a lecturer in philosophy and professor in Yangon, Mondalay, Burma. Brother Lucien Po worked as a Dockyard Superintendent IWTB (In Land Water Transport Board) in Yangon. Brother Layton Po was a Warrant Officer (WO1) and Controller of Military Account (CMA). Brother Lincoln Po worked as a Marine Cadet IWTB (In Land Water Transport Board) Superintendent (5 Star Line). Brother Leonard Po worked as a Row Company Short Hand Typist (Clerk). The youngest brother, Lesley Po, worked as a Leading Seaman in Burma, Navy Chief Sarang Driving IWTB (In Land Water Transport Board).
Lawrence enjoyed singing and music as well as playing the guitar, piano and violin. He liked swimming, boxing and weight lifting. Lawrence was a kind person and had a very loving and caring heart. He was always an encouragement and support to those around him. He truly loved God, his family and his Karen people. Lawrence will be deeply missed.
Lawrence is survived by his children Laura Po, Letitia Po-Foglia (Sebastiano), Lucienne Boonpeng (Suriya Boonpeng), Louella Po (Chapue Saw), Kyaw Soe Po (Sophit), Lucretia Po, Lionel Crombi Po (Lily) and Louisa Po (Michael Santorelli); grandchildren Pakawan and Vimolawan Boonpeng, Luxemburg Kabakyaw Po and LindsaLar Po, Jonathan Htoo, Katherine Phailine Po, Patricia and Pamela Vasquez. He is also survived by his siblings Lucien Po, Lincoln Po, and Lesley Po as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Jane on July 25, 2022; his parents Lionel Vanderveer and Laura Hmway Po; his grandfather Dr. Sir San C. Po and other grandparents; his siblings Letty Po, Layton Po and Leonard Po; his parents-in-law, Kyaw Thu and Julia Thu and Jane’s 3 siblings Irene, Ruth and Douglas.
Funeral Services for Lawrence will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 11:00am in Hosanna Baptist Church (previously First Presbyterian Church – corner of Walsh and Grey Street), officiated by Rev. Wah Lay Ray. Interment will follow the reception in Mountainview Cemetery. Visitation and viewing will be held one hour prior to service time.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lawrence Po Friday October 28th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Thunder Bay, Province: Ontario