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YOUNG FUN CHOY
1911 - 2013 Centenarian Young Fun Choy of Honolulu passed away January 22, 2013 at the age of 101. He was born in 1911, and lived a full life of resilience, generosity and excellence. One of his oldest memories took place on November 18, 1917 just shy of his sixth birthday, while he walked on Vineyard Boulevard. He was unable to cross Nuuanu Avenue due to the funeral cortege of Queen Liliuokalani. From the age of eight, Y.F. contributed to the family's income, first as a shoeshine boy, later as a waiter, bookkeeper and accountant. His earnings helped support his five younger siblings. In spite of the constant need to contribute to his family's welfare, he was an honor student at McKinley High School and a member of the school's band. This same band played during the opening ceremony of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial in 1927. Primarily self-taught, he started his own public accounting practice and was one of the first, and one of the last, licensed Public Accountants in Hawaii. He never retired, but continued to work five days a week until his death. He was a fifty-one year member of the Scottish Rite, a lifetime member of the Hawaii Congress of Parents & Teachers, long-time supporter of Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children and a former President of the Waioli Lion's Club. But above all, he was proudest of being the grandfather of six Eagle Scouts and one prospective Eagle Scout. Y. F. was married to his true love, Florence Thom, for seventy-two years. They had six children and 14 grandchildren, to whom he left a legacy of music and culture. From listening to opera, learning Chinese calligraphy, reading every genre of literature, traveling the world to embracing the art of cooking, Y.F. was a true role model for his children and grandchildren. Y.F. was preceded in death by his wife, Florence. He leaves two sons, Mel Choy and Darryl Choy (Thalia), four daughters, Gayle Chang (Douglas), Lynn Smith (Ronald), Jan Choy (Howard Miller) and Lisa Choy (Kirby Bartlett). He will be remembered by fourteen grandchildren, Christina Solomon (Michael), Alex Choy, Nick Choy, Tom Choy, Devin Choy, Denalee Choy, Dathan Choy, Rich Chang (Miyuki), Jason Chang (Mi Soon Shin), Caitlin Smith, Ben Miller, Tucker Miller, Samantha Bartlett and Parker Bartlett and by five great-grandchildren, Shaun Solomon, Brian Solomon, Cobi-Blaize Ozaki, Jacey Chang and Mae Chang. He is survived by his sisters, Evelyn Chu and Gwendolyn Lui. A private (family only) service was held at the Hsu Yun Buddhist Temple in February. Y.F. Choy's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Parish Hall of St. Clements Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Avenue in Honolulu, from 12 noon to 2 pm. In lieu of gifts, donations may be given to Y.F.'s favorite charities, which include Grand Lodge Hawaii, Hawaii Public Radio, Hospice Hawaii, Palolo Chinese Home, PBS Hawaii and Shriners Hospital.
YOUNG FUN CHOY
1911 - 2013 Centenarian Young Fun Choy of Honolulu passed away January 22, 2013 at the age of 101. He was born in 1911, and lived a full life of resilience, generosity and excellence. One of his oldest memories took place on November 18, 1917 just shy of his sixth birthday, while he walked on Vineyard Boulevard. He was unable to cross Nuuanu Avenue due to the funeral cortege of Queen Liliuokalani. From the age of eight, Y.F. contributed to the family's income, first as a shoeshine boy, later as a waiter, bookkeeper and accountant. His earnings helped support his five younger siblings. In spite of the constant need to contribute to his family's welfare, he was an honor student at McKinley High School and a member of the school's band. This same band played during the opening ceremony of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial in 1927. Primarily self-taught, he started his own public accounting practice and was one of the first, and one of the last, licensed Public Accountants in Hawaii. He never retired, but continued to work five days a week until his death. He was a fifty-one year member of the Scottish Rite, a lifetime member of the Hawaii Congress of Parents & Teachers, long-time supporter of Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children and a former President of the Waioli Lion's Club. But above all, he was proudest of being the grandfather of six Eagle Scouts and one prospective Eagle Scout. Y. F. was married to his true love, Florence Thom, for seventy-two years. They had six children and 14 grandchildren, to whom he left a legacy of music and culture. From listening to opera, learning Chinese calligraphy, reading every genre of literature, traveling the world to embracing the art of cooking, Y.F. was a true role model for his children and grandchildren. Y.F. was preceded in death by his wife, Florence. He leaves two sons, Mel Choy and Darryl Choy (Thalia), four daughters, Gayle Chang (Douglas), Lynn Smith (Ronald), Jan Choy (Howard Miller) and Lisa Choy (Kirby Bartlett). He will be remembered by fourteen grandchildren, Christina Solomon (Michael), Alex Choy, Nick Choy, Tom Choy, Devin Choy, Denalee Choy, Dathan Choy, Rich Chang (Miyuki), Jason Chang (Mi Soon Shin), Caitlin Smith, Ben Miller, Tucker Miller, Samantha Bartlett and Parker Bartlett and by five great-grandchildren, Shaun Solomon, Brian Solomon, Cobi-Blaize Ozaki, Jacey Chang and Mae Chang. He is survived by his sisters, Evelyn Chu and Gwendolyn Lui. A private (family only) service was held at the Hsu Yun Buddhist Temple in February. Y.F. Choy's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Parish Hall of St. Clements Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Avenue in Honolulu, from 12 noon to 2 pm. In lieu of gifts, donations may be given to Y.F.'s favorite charities, which include Grand Lodge Hawaii, Hawaii Public Radio, Hospice Hawaii, Palolo Chinese Home, PBS Hawaii and Shriners Hospital.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
