Frank Kwok-Kin Wong 黄國健

Frank Kwok-Kin Wong 黄國健, aged 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024.

Born and raised in China, Frank was the youngest of seven. He left for Hong Kong as an adult; and it was there that he met and married the love of his life, Edith. Frank and Edith later immigrated to the United States and, building upon humble beginnings, raised a son, Allen, and a daughter, Amy, instilling in them a strong work ethic and an appreciation for integrity, loyalty, and kindness. 

Frank’s and Edith’s efforts culminated in sending Allen and Amy to noteworthy schools (UNC Chapel Hill and Princeton respectively); and they were especially proud that Allen became a pharmacist, helping countless people including during COVID, and that Amy chose to work for mission-driven nonprofit organizations. 

Frank himself built a very successful career in Boston’s Chinatown, not only managing popular dim sum restaurants but also, and more importantly, giving back to the community, including as Chairman of the Wong Family Benevolent Association and Chairman of the On Leong Chinese Merchants’ Association.   

Frank was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was incredibly generous and fiercely loyal. At the same time, he had exacting standards and did not suffer fools. If you weren’t a fool or a jerk and, instead, worked hard, treated people well, and were book- and/or street-smart, you had a friend for life. If you ever got to cut the hour-long line for dim sum at one of the Chinese restaurants he managed, you were lucky indeed. If he ever fought you for the dinner bill, that meant he cared about you. If he ever let you pay, that meant he loved you! 

You were especially lucky if you ever got to see his mischievous, witty, and lighthearted side, whether it was saying “psss psss psss” to every animal he came across, including the bison at Yellowstone Park; touching the Venus fly trap at the U.S. Botanic Garden right after the guide said not to (and then later picking one of the roses!); gleefully trash talking while winning all your money at mahjong; or presenting you with ripe figs he procured using the “five finger discount” during a walk around the neighborhood. 

For these reasons and more, those whom Frank left behind grieve for him, including his daughter, Amy Wong; his son, Allen Wong; his daughter-in-law (Allen’s wife) Larah and their four children, Alex, Cameron, Spencer, and Violet; as well as Ginny Pei Xie Wong, Young Wing Wong, and their three daughters, Annie, Sara, and Lisa.  

We are comforted by the fact that Frank is now reunited with many of those he loved best, including his wife, Edith Woon-Cheung; his mother, Chuk Mei; his father, Chick Wan; his five sisters, Lia Har, Lai Chun, Lai King, Siu To, and Ginny; and his brother, Fred. And, wherever he may be, we hope he’s sitting around a table, eating dim sum and drinking tea and coffee, while laughing with dear friends such as Uncle Frank, Uncle Bill, and Steven. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a traditional Chinese funeral service on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 9:30am-11:30am at Hamel-Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock Street, Quincy. Funeral procession to leave Hamel-Lydon at 12:15pm to Boston Chinatown before arriving at Forest Hills Cemetery for the interment.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may make donations in Frank’s honor, including to either of the below organizations:

MSPCA Angel Clinic in Boston - https://www.justgiving.com/page/frankwong

Alzheimer’s Association - https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=928705

We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories of Frank K. Wong on our Tribute Wall.