LING, John

July 15, 1928 − July 27, 2018

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, father−in−law, and grandfather John Ling, who enjoyed life to its fullest up to his most recently celebrated 90th birthday. John was born in Shanghai, China, and lived a happy childhood as the only boy in a family of four girls. After earning a degree in electrical engineering, and spending time with friends in Taiwan, John emigrated to Hong Kong where he married his beloved Kendy. There, he worked at first in a camera shop, and then happily began a career with GEC. John loved to travel − he travelled for work and travelled during vacations. He became the proud father of two girls and, at the first opportunity in 1967, brought his family to Canada, a country which he loved until the end of his days. Here, he built a backyard composter from the shipping crates, cut the grass every week, shoveled snow, and puttered in his workshop. John had a successful career with PBK, where he earned recognition for his role as team lead for lighting design and installation at BC Place. Ever−growing and learning, he then bought a power boat and found happiness at the marina and on his MV Dionysus. On a trip with the yacht club to Pender Island, John and Kendy fell in love with and bought a house on the water, where the two spent countless weekends enjoying the space and the view. As well, more trips and cruises to far−away ports filled up his retirement years. John is survived by Kendy, his wife of 66 years, daughters Marianne (James) and Belinda, grandchildren Laura (Sean) and Michael (Renee), great−grandchildren Braeden & Ella, sisters Jane (Roland), Susanna, and Elizabeth, and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at the transitional care units at VGH and UBC hospitals for their kind and compassionate care, and for bringing smiles to his face during his short stays. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 15 at Oceanview Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial St, Burnaby, followed by a gravesite burial at 2:30, and a small reception from 3:00 to 5:00. In lieu of flowers, please send your donations to the VGH UBC Hospital Foundation.