Wang Guang Hua's Funeral Briefing
On December 4, 1999, Li, Shuo Chuan (Jesse), Fu, Wei
Hua and I (Lian, Hui) on behalf of 7926 attended Wang
Guang Hua's funeral held at Central/Fogarty Funeral
Home in Flushing, New York.
Wei Hua and I arrived around 9:00 AM and were greeted
by Jesse and Guang Hua's sister in-law. The room
where Guang Hua was lying was essentially full. About
50 or so relatives and friends gathered there. Many
of them flew in the night before. On both side of the
room were wreaths made of fresh flowers. Guang Hua's
widow Cathy and their older son Howard were sitting in
the front row while their younger son George was
walking in and out of the room. Introduced by Jesse,
we met Cathy and Howard the first time.
Guang Hua was lying in the front center of the room.
He looked peaceful as if he were sleeping. Below his
hairline was the slightly wrinkled pale skin, where
fate met its eternity. On the left of the casket,
Guang Hua was smiling at us from the picture taken
many years ago. The picture was framed with white
rose. We all paid our respects to him.
At 9:30 AM, the funeral service started with the
prelude played by an organist from Guang Hua's church.
Reverent David Tsang opened the service reaffirming
the faith in God. This was followed by the hymn: "The
Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want." The choir from
Guang Hua's church sang the hymn: "Rock of Ages, Cleft
for Me." Reverent Tsang continued his prayer and
message afterwards.
Guang Hua's sister-in-law, R.R. Qiu, summarized Guang
Hua's life. Born on December 29, 1953 in Hong Kong,
Guang Hua was the only son of Captain and Mrs. Wang.
At age 3, he moved to Shanghai with his parents and
two sisters. He was always a good student. During the
Cultural Revolution, he was assigned to the
countryside of Zhejiang Province. In 1979, he scored
number one in the entrance exam of Zhejiang Province
and enrolled in Fudan University. After graduation he
taught finance/economics in East China Normal
University. He married to Cathy Qiu in 1984. Soon
after their son Howard was born. Guang Hua came to
the U.S. in 1986 with full scholarship to study
economics at Illinois State University. After
obtaining his master degree in 1988, he moved to Los
Angeles. In 1990, he was hired by American
International Group (AIG) and moved to New York with
his family. Since then, he had worked for AIG. He
left us at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on November
24, 1999.
During his short lifetime, Guang Hua can be best
described as a hardworking and caring family man. Ms.
Qiu told us many touching stories about Guang Hua as a
loving father. He often spent a lot of time after work
with his sons helping their homework and reading.
After the children fell into sleep, Guang Hua then
started his work at night until after midnight. He was
a very thoughtful father. In order for his active
younger son George to sleep well, Guang Hua placed two
pillows on each side of George's bed so that when he
roamed around in sleep he could still get a pillow on
the other side of the bed. His great deal of caring
and loving led to the excellence of his two children.
Howard was enrolled in New York's prestigious
Stevenson High School and George exhibited an
unusually high capability on reading.
As his best friend from Fudan University, Jesse on
behalf of the 7926 class made the following speech:
"Wang Guang Hua's family and friends,
I am representing Fudan University, class of 7926 to
express our deepest condolence to Wang Guang Hua's
family. This tragedy shocked all of us. During the
past week, our classmates sent many messages from all
over the world, including China, Japan, Italy and
France, conveying their sympathy to Guang Hua's
family.
Guang Hua is one of my closest friends. I met him on
my very first day in Fudan University in 1979. We
shared the same dorm; his bed was next to mine. We
become very close friends immediately since we have a
very similar background. We studied together; went to
the library together; ate together. Guang Hua
impressed me as a very diligent, hard working,
intelligent and caring man. Two years later, I came to
the United States, but we still kept very close
friendship. In 1989, I met him again in LA. He
appeared confident in his family and his career.
The last time I saw Guang Hua was two months ago. In
September, Guang Hua joined our class reunion in Las
Vegas. I can vividly recall our last conversation. He
told me that he was very proud of his children who are
excellent students. During his three-week vacation in
China he bought an apartment for his aging parents.
He expressed his wish that someday he could arrange
his aging parents to live with him here in the U.S. We
brainstormed and looked forward to our next gathering
in the new millennium. We had a wonderful time with
him.
I have never imagined, in my wildest imagination, that
I would be here saying farewell to Guang Hua. Many of
our classmates have never thought that for the next
class reunion, we will miss him forever. It was such a
shock to me and to my friends from the class of 7926,
Fudan University. My feeling can be best described
quoting one of my friends' words:" Yesterday we were
throwing a joke of the bygone era, today we are
shedding tears to the loss of a dear friend."
My friends and I are grateful for the friendship from
Guang Hua. May peace be with his spirit forever. May
God bless his family and all of us."
To Wang Guang Hua -- With our deepest sympathy
-- From 7926 Classmates
Guang Hua's other friends and co-workers also made
speeches. His helpfulness and reliability made
everyone's memory.
Then the moment came for the last respects. We bowed
and said farewell to Guang Hua. Tears dropped along
Cathy's cheeks. We went to hug her and wished our best
to her and the kids. Standing silently next to her was
Howard. He looked sad and withdrawn. George was still
moving around among people.
Howard's silent withdrawal was sharply contrasting
with George's active denial. The scene was
heartbreaking. I managed to burst out one sentence:
"Howard, I hope you are OK." Howard slightly nodded
his head and soon returned to his motionless mode.
The funeral procession continued towards Long Island,
where Guang Hua's cemetery was located.
Outside the window of the car, it was a sunny and a
warm day. Autumn leaves were almost all gone. Only a
few of them, golden and red, were clinging to the
branches with the dim hope of surviving the winter. It
was the sob in the honor of goodbye. It was the
profound feeling of loss. It was the sadness beyond
comprehension.
The cemetery is about 45 minutes driving from New York
City. The hilly terrain and the peacefulness somehow
made me forget that the busy New York City was nearby
until a train passing in distance brought me back to
the reality. It was the home to many deceased Chinese.
We were all lined up in front of Guang Hua's casket.
One by one, we placed a white rose in front of it.
Soon the casket was under the ground. A hoist came to
close the heavy cement lid on top of the casket. Earth
then filled the hole. Flowers were piled up like a
small mount on his grave. Cathy bowed to everyone and
thanked us for coming. The last episode of Wang, Guang
Hua's life came to a closure.
Lord takes and Lord gives. While having to wrestle
with the harsh reality, Guang Hua's children will
continue his American dream. Guang Hua's wish will
eventually prevail.
Guang Hua rested in peace. Farewell, our good friend.
We'll always be endeared by the memory of happy time
when he was among us.
On behalf of 7926 class, Wei Hua collected Guang Hua's
memorial fund and gave it to his family. Based on my
knowledge, the following classmates pledged the
financial contribution:
Chen, Fen Qi;
Fu,Wei Hua;
Gu, Jian She;
Jiang, Ze Lin;
Li, Shuo Chuan;
Lian, Hui;
Luan, Wen Bai;
Qi, Qi;
Qing, Zhou Xin;
Shi, Zhang Chu;
Wang, Xing Cai;
Wang, Yu
Yu, Wei;
Zhan, Shu Hui;
Zhang, Xiao Qin
Among us Li, Shuo Chuan, Zhang, Xiao Qin, and Wang,
Xing Cai made significant financial contribution.
Qi, Qi sent his financial contribution directly to Guang
Hua's family.
$110 was deducted from the collected funds for
purchasing the flower wreath on behalf of 7926 class,
and the remaining proceeds went to Guang Hua's family.
I am forwarding the funeral related materials to Zhang
Chu for posting them on the web. Jesse will forward
pictures after they are developed. I will also mail a
copy of this letter to Wang, Guang Hua's family.
-- By Lian Hui (12-8-99) --
Funeral Service For Mr. Frank Guang Hua Wang
......................................................................................
Prelude:
Yong Her Tong
Invocation:
Rev. David Tsang
Hymn:
"The Lord's My Shepherd"
Congregation
Prayer:
Rev. David Tsang
Scripture Reading: "John 14: 1-3"
Rev. David Tsang
Message:
Rev. David Tsang
Eulogy/Tribute:
R. R. Qiu / Jesse Li / Other friends
Word of Thanks:
Dr. Yong Ming Li
Benediction:
Rev. David Tsang
Last Respects:
Congregation
In Remembrance of Frank Guanghua Wang, MS
....................................................................................
1953 - 1999
Frank Guanghua Wang passed away at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 1999,
at The New York Hospital in Manhattan, New York City.
It was less than a day after he underwent brain surgery and 37 days before the
arriving of the new century, year 2000.
Mr. Wang was born the son of Captain Wang in 1953, in Hong Kong, now part of China.
He grew up with two sisters; he was the only son and the "happy" of the family.
He spent his childhood, school years and early career in the largest city of China,
Shanghai. He graduated from Fudan University in 1983 and majored in World Economics.
In 1984 he married Cathy Huifan Qiu, a Jiao Tong University graduate, and their son
Howard was born soon afterward in 1985. In 1986 he was admitted with a full scholarship
to the Graduate School of Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. In two years,
he graduated with a master degree in Economics and started his second career on Wall Street,
New York City. During this period, he was naturalized and became an American citizen.
In 1991 his second son George was born in New York.
I had the privilege to have known Guanghua for more than ten years.
The first time I met him was in the Winter of 1987, just few days after I arrived in Normal,
Illinois, USA for graduate study. We were in the same school but different departments
for two years. The first impression I had was of a very kind gentleman with an ever-smiling
face. He helped me to find my first apartment which was actually where he had lived waiting
for his wife’s arrival in American. I lived in the same apartment just like him until my
wife’s arrival. Another reason which kept our families close together at that time was
his four-years-old son Howard. Our son Kevin was same age then as Howard but was still
in China. My wife, Qing Feng kept telling me that Howard looked exactly like Kevin.
Of course, we often tried to find excuses to visit Guanghau’s family even during the
busy school days.
Seven years later in 1994, after countless relocations in the States we found Guanghua
again, living in our neighborhood in Queens, New York. We were so happy to see our old
friends in this big city, the so called the Capital of the World. At times, we got together
chatting about the happy "old days" in Normal and exchanging experiences about the "tough
life" in New York City. More recently, we surprisingly met up in Stuyvensant High School
on an open house day. The difference this time was that Howard and Kevin were schoolmates
in the best high school in New York. I saw Guanghua’s smiling face again and it was just
as I remembered 12 years ago.
Only a couple of weeks ago, I have talked with Guanghua on the phone about his newly
diagnosed illness. I tried, to the best of my knowledge, to tell him that it was a
treatable condition. Although he sounded a little bit worried, in my mind I expected to
see him soon completely recovered with his usual smiling face.
Shock and speechlessness were first reactions I had when I heard that Guanghua has left us.
Nobody believed this could ever happen. His far too early death has torn the hearts of
his loved wife, sons, relatives and friends. We know the great difficulties Guanghua has
overcome, we know what he has suffered and we know what he deserved. We also know that his
family will never be the same without him. But at this particular moment, what we have
left is our memories.
We remember Guanghua as an ever-smiling gentleman, who has a kind heart and generous nature.
We remember Guanghua as a family man, who loved his wife, parents and children,
and paid particular attention to the education of his children and their future.
We remember Guanghua as a diligent man, who worked hard day and night till the last
minute before his operation.
We remember Guanghua as a brilliant man, who scored the highest in the National College
Entrance Examination in the Zhejiang Province of China.
We remember Guanghua as an accomplished man, who was highly respected,
educated and had a productive life.
Finally, we remember Guanghua as a friend, one of us, who came from the other side of the
earth to the United States of America with a dream: a dream of accomplishment and a dream
of a better life. Now Guanghua has left us, leaving behind a loving family and work
unfinished. We are saddened by the loss of our friend Guanghua but we are also happy
that God took him from his pain and suffering. We sincerely hope that his family will
continue with their lives and dreams because they know that’s what Guanghua would have
wanted. Guanghua will be remembered, will be missed and will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace!
-- By Yong Ming Li and Qing Feng Wang --
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It was a Tribute delivered at Guanghua Funeral Service (12-4-99)
A letter from Guang Hua's family
.......................................................................
"Our family have the most appreciation to all of your condolence and
sympathy on the death of Guanghua Wang. Thanks you all the friends from
Fudan 7926 for the supports, encouragements and contributions. Also, the
special thanks to Jesse Li, Celile W. Fu and Lian Hui who came far away to
attend Guanghua's funeral on Dec. 4, 1999. A lot of thanks to Lian Hui, Jesse
Li and Steve Qi who spent time listen to our sad story and provide useful
information and sugessions for the survivors...
Guanghua's funeral went through smoothly on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. He was
buried on Westchest County , upstate of New York - on a hill surrounded by
the mountains, lake, river and pine trees. Over ten years' "tough life" in
New York city, Guanghua is too tired. He left behind a loving family and
unfinished wishes, goes to rest. Rest in peace.
Guanghua had a very good time in Las Vegas. He had told me that someday
he'll bring our family there - stay in Paris Hotel. Thanks for Wang Yu's
promise. I belive someday in the further I will bring the two boys there for
the journey Guanghua wished."
-- By Hui Fen, Howard and George Wang (12-8-99) --
Steve Shi Zhangchu 12-9-1999
