Stephen Leung Cheung Hung 梁祥鴻 (Class '67)

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Requiem Mass in Toronto on 1st March, 2008:

Mass was said at 3.00 p.m. at the Chinese Martyrs Catholic Church at 2755 Denison Street. Francis Ng Man Hing and his wife Elsie, Ku Po Kong and his wife Georgiana and myself attended a reqium mass offered on Stephen's behalf on Saturday afternoon.  It was a well-attended service.  There was refreshment afterwards and we were able to mingle with Stephen's widow Isabella.  To our delight, she said that she will attend our next gathering of 67'ers in Toronto since she was impressed with how Stephen became so active in contacting his old buddies over the last year or so.
 (- Matthew San)

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Requiem Mass in Hong Kong on 29th February 2008:

Dear Brothers,
Stephen Leung's sister Rosita asked me to help organize a Mass in Hong Kong for their relatives and friends to pray for the soul of Stephen on 29th February (Friday).  She reminded us later that that day was, incidentally, Ah Cheung's third 7th-day-after-death by Chinese traditions.
Fr. Coghlan, who came to Wah Yan in 1961 when we were in Primary 6 and who is now in charge of Ricci Hall, was kind enough to say Mass within short notice. Fr. Coghlan's acquintance with Stephen was recently refreshed at our 40th Anniversary Reunion last November.
About 25 relatives and friends gathered in the chapel by 6:30 pm. On top of that, classmates who attended included Stephen Siu, Peter Lau, Lee Mui Lum, myself and Peter Lam and his wife. The latter two did the readings during Mass.  In his sermon, Fr. Coghlan reminded us that, with Christian Faith, death should not be taken as a sad and fearful thing, but rather a positive step to bring us to our Lord.  Rosita spoke lovingly of Stephen, his strong Catholic Faith and his positive attitudes in life. She thanked Fr. Lo, Fr. Coghlan, Mr. George Tam, Mrs. Sharon Hui, myself and others, for helping to organizing the Mass. It was Sharon  who kindly helped to secure, through M/s Favia Mak, teacher-in-charge, two alter boys to help out.
We sang two of Stephen's favourite songs "Amazing Grace" and "Let It Be" as led by a fellow named Derek (if I remember right), a family friend and a Riccian who brought along his guitar. He did a beautiful job and we were all moved by the music that echoed through the chapel. I would describe the Mass as peaceful, beautiful and with a sense of loving intimacy with both Ah Cheung and the Lord.    
After Mass we bowed to a photo of Stephen to pay our last respect.  I chose a photo that was taken in the classroom during our 40th Reunion when Ah Cheung was smiling broadly..... for I believe he would like us to remember him as a happy and positive falla.
God Bless
( - Nicholas Tsui)

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Our beloved classmate Stephen passed away unexpected in his home in Toronto on 8th February 2008. The cause of death is believed to be a sudden heart attack. Please see message below submitted by his daughter Joanne for details of the funeral arrangement.

Stephen was admitted to Primary 5 in 1960 and was well known for his cheerful personality and positive attitudes. His good sense of humour added unforgettable memories to our recent 40th Graduation Reunion held in Hong Kong. The above picture of Ah Cheung was taken in a Wah Yan Classroom during our gathering on Speech Day in November 2008.... All Smile! That's how I'd like to remember our beloved Ah Cheung. My deepest sympathy to his wife Isabella and daughter Joanne. (- Nicholas Tsui)

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I am profoundly shocked and saddened by the news. By chance, we ran into each other at the Vancouver International Airport on November 15, 2007 when we both arrived back in Canada from overseas. That was the last time I met and talked to Stephen.
It just makes it so much more precious what we have growing up together in Wah Yan. The memories will be treasured for as long as my brain cells will allow. May peace be with Stephen and his beloved. (- Cecil Fung)

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Cannot believe that this is true as Stephen was energetic and cheerful when we last had a small Toronto dinner gathering less than two weeks' ago. He shared his trip to Hong Kong with us and was fully supportive of our next big '67 proposed gathering in Toronto. He will long be missed and will be will remembered in our prayers. May he rest in God's Peace. (- Paul Chan)

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Life is as fleeting as morning dew. I miss Stephen, but in a way, I look at it without all the negatives. It is a blessing in a way that a
person passed into eternal bliss without the fear, pain, medical bill, medical hassle, depressions, nor liability and stress to one's beloved. All
good friends will meet again. (- Joe Lung)

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It is shockingly sad for everyone of us for a dear friend's passing away so suddenly. Besides the deep condolences for Stephen's wife and family which I am sure each one of us have, and wish to convey at due time, I second Matthew San's suggestion that we take this sad occasion to a deed which is true to the Wah-Yan Spirit, namely to contribute - no matter how small, to charity to remember Stephen - "a man with and for others", as we all are expected to be by our Jesuit teachers some forty years ago. Also, perhaps Stephen has reminded us that everyone is just as vulnerable. I hope we will all maintain a healthy living both physical and spiritual, and always be at peace with God and our Creator. After all these years, I conclude, and I am sure many will agree with me, that friendships from our formative years are the ones that are most memorable, tested, and lasting - and we should be very thankful and value them most. We will pray for Stephen..(- Joe Shum)

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While the passing of Stephen is supremely sad, I felt blessed that many of us, including myself, had the pleasure of seeing Stephen again, abeit briefly during the 40th reunion last November. It is this memory and the many years we shared together while growing up at Wahyan that will stay with me forever. (- Patrick Lam Hon Kay)

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After losing touch for many years, Stephen and I met up again in July 2006 when I came up to Toronto. I went up to Toronto twice in 2007 and each time Stephen was the organizer of dinner gatherings. And we saw each other at the 40th anniversary in HK. I am deeply saddened by his sudden departure. He was a very decent man and I know that he is in heaven. (- Louis Miu)

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Stephen in recent years became very active in organizing get-togethers of the Toronto gang along with Paul Chan. He was so keen and enthusiastic about this. Quite different from a few years back when I used to have to keep calling him to come out. He will be sorely missed everytime we get together from this point forward. (- Matthew San)

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Stephen and I stood and sat next to each other a lot over the Wah Yan years as we are both Leung's. For quite a while, I will feel his presence in another empty seat next to me. Nonetheless I am grateful that I have had some happy moments with him at the Hong Kong Reunion (Thanks to many of you for it), reviving our warm friendship from those younger days. ( - Clement Leung)

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Visitation and Service

Visitation and service will be held at R.S. Kane Funeral Home.
6150 Yonge Street
North York , Ontario
M2M 3W9
(on west side of Yonge north of Cummer)

Visitation:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:00-9:00 pm
Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:00-9:00 pm

Service:??Friday, February 15, 2008 12:15 pm

The burial will proceed following the service at around 2:00 pm at York Cemetery.
160 Beecroft Road
North York , Ontario
M2N 5Z5
(one block west of Yonge and north of Sheppard)

In lieu of flowers, donations to World Vision Canada would have been greatly appreciated by my dad.

"World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with
children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, we are
motivated by God's love for all people regardless of race, religion, gender or ethnicity."

In memory of my dad, donations can be made either through their website

(https://www1.worldvision.ca/wvcweb/gp_rd.nsf/In+Memoriam?OpenForm&id=02955169)
or by cheque made payable to World Vision Canada .

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Joanne