Fond memories of Melvin Hong
Family, former students recall caring and support from former principal
Great. Sincere. Wonderful. Kind. Loved. Caring. Inspiration. Friend.
These are some of the most oft-repeated words found in Melvin Hong’s online memorial guest book.
The comments, condolences and tributes began pouring in Dec. 30, the day of Hong’s death at the age of 76.
Raised with five other children, Hong spent his life surrounded by family, becoming a father of four. Later, he added father-in-law to his list of titles, eventually becoming a grandfather three times over.
A long-serving principal at St. John Bosco and Beaconsfield high schools and former president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chinese Association (1989-90), Hong was also an active member of the Shea Heights Community Council, played hockey locally and at UPEI, and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Though he was a busy man, Hong always made time for his kids. When his children showed interest in competitive swimming, he became involved as well, becoming a master official and the provincial swimming association’s president and, later, representing Swimming Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1986.
Speaking to The Telegram prior to leaving for his brother’s funeral, Don Hong shared his praise for his brother’s life and legacy.
“Mel was a person who was well respected, who cared about everything he did, and everyone he worked with, and everyone he associated with,” he said, the low hum of chitchat from gathered family audible in the background.
Daughter Janet sent along her own note, which detailed how her father encouraged his kids to appreciate their Chinese heritage, to value equality, and to treat the boss and the janitor with the same respect.
“I know I’m biased, but I truly don’t think I could’ve had a better role model as a father,” Janet wrote.
“He always taught us to strive for our goals, no matter how lofty they might seem. If we believed it was within our reach, intellectually, or financially, or otherwise, our dad and mom unfailingly encouraged us to strive for everything we wanted in life.”
Through hard work, dedication, an imprinted work ethic and “sometimes good fortune, most of the goals we attempted to reach, we attained,” Janet said, noting that her siblings share the same sentiments.
While Hong was surrounded by kinfolk at home, he built different kinds of relationships at work.
Many former students shared their condolences, as well as funny anecdotes and special memories from a favourite teacher.
Hong was described as “strong and gentle,” “a very kind, passionate human being,” “a sweet man,” “a cool dude.” One former student called Hong “a Prince among Principals.”
Adjectives such as caring, nurturing, kind, welcoming, funny, dedicated, respected, gracious and clever were peppered throughout the 80+ sympathies shared online.
One comment, sent from Ontario, described Hong as “a wonderful person and a truly caring soul who made a difference in the lives of so many students and youth.”
Local publisher Jerry Cranford shared a two-decade-old memory from his school days in the late 1990s, when Hong was the principal at Beaconsfield.
“Mr. Hong came in and spoke to the class for the remainder of the period about careers and making good life decisions,” Cranford recalled.
“It struck me as passing strange at the time, that a principal would interrupt one class of many like that, but looking back, I can see now that Mr. Hong cared about his job and about helping shape his students into genuinely decent people. He will be missed.”
Former Beaconsfield student Scott Crawley also remembers Hong as his principal, in the late 1980s.
“He was one of the biggest guiding influences of my life during that time,” Crawley said via email.
“I grew up in a single-parent home with my mother and younger brother, and I was battling a lot of personal issues because of this. I contemplated quitting school during my Grade 11 year. However, Mel would not hear of it. He was able to convince me to tough it out,” Crawley stated.
“With Mel’s positive approach to education and his unending patience with me to keep me on the straight and narrow, I remained in school, graduated and went on to continue with post-secondary education. I am now running the Campus Security Department at the University of Regina. I truly believe that had my life not been touched by Mel Hong, I would not be the person I am today.”