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Gene Coon Pong (彭振權) passed away quietly at home in Alliston, Ontario in his 76th year with family by his side on December 29, 2023.
Gene is lovingly remembered and perpetually loved by his best friend and wife Jane (nee Webb) of 51 years and his children Gene (Brian) and Christopher (Heather).
Gene was born in Taishan, China on the sixth day of the first lunar month, 1948. He started his education with six months of kindergarten in Hong Kong before immigrating in 1952 to Bradford, Ontario where he completed both elementary and high schools.
Embracing education, Gene received a Diploma in Hotel Administration, a Certificate in Public Health Inspection, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Hotel and Tourism Management from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute; a Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Teacher Education College; Ontario Teacher’s Certificate; and, from Niagara University in New York, a Master of Science in Education. While in Ryerson, Gene joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, making friendships that he treasured.
Gene married Jane on 1972. They lived in Toronto, then Hamilton before moving away from the larger cities. From an apartment in Bradford to a house on the 4th Line of West Gwillimbury where both young Gene and Christopher were born, Gene then built a new home for his family on the 20th Sideroad outside of Newton Robinson where they lived for 12 years. Later they moved to a farm near Bond Head and acquired a cottage outside of Port Severn on Little Lake. This lakeside cottage became their year-round home upon retirement for the next 17 years before finally settling in Alliston.
Gene started his career as a public health inspector, moved on to teach elementary school children for nine years, then worked in real estate sales and development before purchasing a Home Hardware store in Tottenham where he enjoyed helping folks with home improvement needs for 17 years until his retirement. During this time and for years after you could pick Gene out of a crowd easily as he would always be wearing his red Home Hardware t-shirts or sweaters.
A loving father, Gene inspired his children to become well-rounded, independent and accomplished young men. A jack-of-all trades, Gene instilled his sons with practical life skills for do-it-yourself home improvement projects. He loved family get-togethers, and was famous for his extended family and friends BBQs where pontoon boat rides were popular; the Pong family tree was updated annually; and, delicious food and good company were enjoyed.
Soon after retirement, Gene and Jane loved spending the winter months in Texas where Gene enjoyed riding his motorcycle along with his buddies for breakfast and playing table tennis; and, with Jane, dancing, all-you-can-eat buffets, trips to Mexico and “Happy Hour” with friends.
Gene and Jane also took the opportunity to travel, taking an Alaskan cruise; and, visiting many parts of Canada and the U.S.A., England, Europe and China. Sometimes teased about his fluency in Chinese, he did write his name in Chinese in an art gallery while revisiting his childhood home in China.
Gene enjoyed chatting with people, easily expanding their circle of friends and always cared for others (even strangers) ahead of himself.
Gene is survived by sisters Lai Har, May Har (Ning) and Betty; brothers Jack (Roslyn) and Bill (Carrie); sister-in-law Donnalyn (Peter); and, his many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends who all treasured him. He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Chung Oy; sisters Ching Ha and Mary; and, brother Thomas.
Gene was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family is grateful for the kind-hearted care during the last two years from St. Elizabeth’s PSWs, the ongoing outreach and support from Matthews House and the Alzheimer Society; and more recently, the compassion of the palliative care team.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Matthews House Hospice, the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County or a charity of your choice.
Cremation has taken place; and, Gene’s family welcomes all family and friends to share memories at a Celebration of Gene’s Life to be held at Rod Abrams Funeral Home Ltd. 1666 Tottenham Rd., Tottenham 905-936-3477, on Sunday January 14, 2024 between 12:30pm to 3:30pm with spoken Words of Remembrance at 2:00pm. Condolences may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Tottenham, Province: Ontario
death notice Gene Coon Pong 彭振權 2024
obituaries notice Gene Coon Pong 彭振權 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gene Coon Pong 彭振權 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.