Kenneth Sze Kit Yeung
March 3rd, 1937 ~ June 24th, 2024
Kenneth Sze Kit Yeung (楊思傑) was born in Hong Kong, on March 3, 1937. His parents were Joseph Yeung Yui Sang (楊銳生) and Yeung Sin Kwan Che (楊冼君慈). He grew up in Hong Kong, except for the three years of Japanese occupation during WWII, when the family moved to Macau. Kenneth also lived in Wales for a couple of years in the 1980’s when he supported and sponsored his foster sons when they were pursuing their higher education in Wales. In the 90’s, he moved to Vancouver, along with his elder sister, King Wan.
Battling with liver cancer, Kenneth had peacefully passed away on June 24, 2024.
Kenneth was educated at the Wah Yan College, a Catholic all-boys college run by the Society of Jesus, in Hong Kong. He and his brothers were all Wah Yan alumni. Because of his schooling at the College, he had a lifelong and strong affiliation with the Jesuit Society.
Kenneth was a successful business man. In Hong Kong, he ran a government building maintenance and operations company. After moving to Vancouver, he was in a partnership in the mini-storage business.
With gratitude for God’s blessings in all his endeavours, he honoured the Lord with his time and his wealth by giving back to the Church and the local and global community. He always served at his church and he volunteered at a long term senior care facility in Vancouver for a number of years, working with the frail elderly. He supported and sponsored numerous young people to study abroad for a better and brighter future.
Working together with his good friend and the Jesuit Society in Myanmar, they have funded a piece of land for the Jesuit Society to build a school as well as a number of projects: supporting an orphanage, providing medical treatments for the poor and funding young people for their higher education.
Kenneth loved God and the Church. He also loved his biological family, foster family, friends and fellow-pilgrims. God’s goodness and love had surely followed Kenneth every day of his life. Now Kenneth is back home in the house of God for the rest of his life.
Messages:
I am very impressed by the serenity of our friend Kenneth even when his condition becoming more and more serious. He tried to send news and update about his condition until finally he could not do it. His life is totally dedicated to those who are in need and spent for them until the end. May he rest in peace in the embrace of the Merciful Lord.
Our deepest condulances to Kenneth's family. Eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. We missed him.
My deepest condolences to all of Kenneth’s family and friends. He was an amazing spirited person, always so kind, generous, considerate and caring. His infectious smile and laugh always brightened any gathering. He had a sharp mind and a great sense of humour. This accomplished but humble man who gave so much to this world in his own way, lived an exemplary life full of compassion. He will be missed.
I miss my pew buddy. Ken sat in front of me at daily Mass for years at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Vancouver. He always reserved my seat by placing a hymnal where I sat since he always arrived earlier. His rosary was always in hand. If I was short of cash, he was always good for a $5 loan to light a candle for my prayers to Our Lady. The loan was without interest. We had so many laughs. It was such a pleasure to be around Ken. He had a child-like presence that just made you feel good. We both wore hearing aids and there was many a time we both had to interpret the sermon for each other. Ken was very generous. He purchased the church’s computer so we could show DVDs at our bible-study classes. Over several years he never missed a class. He was so proud of being from Hong Kong. What they achieved in comparison to communist China in such a short period of time was his pride and joy. Ken really loved the opera, classical music and art. We often went to see productions of the Metropolitan Opera at Cineplex, but Ken went well beyond that. Similarly, he’d travel to St. Anne’s church in Abbotsford to see artwork of the prodigal son. Over the years we took turns choosing different restaurants from different countries to dine at. Ken loved all types of food. He was curious and open-minded. Finally, Ken loved his Roman Catholic church and all the people in it. He was so happy, when in his final days he had the opportunity to complete his confession in Chinese. He told me it had been 40 years since he had done that. We miss him dearly but know he is with God in heaven, and he will be reserving a seat for us. Love Randy and Patricia - Vancouver, BC
Eternal rest grant unto our dearest Kenneth O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, by the Mercy of the Lord, rest in peace. Amen !
God father was such an inspiration in my life, your love and faith will forever remain in our hearts and memories.
YOU WERE A WONDERFUL MAN, KENNETH. WE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR COMPANY, BOTH IN THE CHURCH AND IN OUR PILGRIMAGES. PLEASE SLEEP WELL. YOU ARE GOING HOME TO LIVE WITH THE ANGELS AND THE SAINTS.
May u rest in peace n it's an honor to have known u when I was a kid.
Got to meet and know Kenneth in 2018. Kenneth was a man of lively faith. He put his faith in a loving God into his concrete actions of charity. He literally helped the Jesuits and their mission in Myanmar until his last breath. He personally kept updating us with his medications. Things turned worse for him rather suddenly. We miss him dearly. But we are also deeply sure that Kenneth is now at a better home. Dear Kenneth, now that you see God face to face, please pray for us. Amen.
Rest in the peace of our Lord, Kenneth. I will miss you and all the fun times we had. You are in a better place now. Please pray for me, my friend.
I will always have very fond memories of the time I spent with Uncle Kenneth, and will always remember him as a very special, kind and thoughtful person.