(Ham) Hamilton Leong

Passed away at age 86 of Lambton Shores, Port Franks and Sarnia at Vision Nursing Home on Saturday September 3, 2011. Ham is survived by daughter Dianne Leong-Fortier and her husband Guy, sons Kim Leong and wife Lynette, Ham Leong Jr. and wife Tania, and Dan Leong, grandchildren Kirk, Maylene, Derek, Christian, Haily, McKenna, Ashlyn and Willow, and Mother of his sons, Monique (nee) Quinton and Mother of his daughter, Maymai (nee) Sing. Ham was born in Sun Sei, China, emigrated at a young age to join his Father's family in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Detroit and worked in the family restaurant, the Peking Pavilion (that his Father Kim Leong had started). At age 17, he served with the United States Army, 391st Infantry Div. (1942-1946) during WWII, fighting in the Pacific arena as a machine gunner earning his expert infantryman badge and other medals of service. After the war, Ham studied for four years and graduated from the Meinzinger Art Institute in Detroit, Michigan. In 1949, he immigrated to Canada after marrying Maymai Sing of Sarnia, the youngest of five daughters who was a member of one of the first Chinese families to settle in Sarnia. Ham gained landed immigrant status in Canada in 1950. Ham was a multi-faceted man--a self-employed businessman and started the first Neon Sign business in Sarnia, Ontario. Ham worked as a commercial artist and sign painter for many years and had his own gallery called Studio Five. He was a prolific, respected and accomplished artist and exhibited in galleries in Michigan, and throughout Ontario and his work is in many private and public collections. He contributed to the art scene and was an active exhibitor in Sarnia Art Association and Gallery exhibitions. He is well known for painting many murals for restaurants and other public sites, including a large portrait of Queen Elizabeth (at Norman Perry Park) to commemorate her visit in 1959. He was accomplished at mechanics, machines, and racing sports of various kinds (sports cars in the 50's, go-karts in the 60's and motorcycles and snowmobiles in the 70's and 80s). He had a creative and critical mind and could conceptually design cars, objects, machines and art. He conceived, designed and built a unique spherical Dome House in Port Franks, Ontario. Throughout his life, Ham worked and participated in various activities in the racing and art world-- these were his passions. Perhaps, it was growing up in the auto city, Detroit that fuelled his imagination and fascination with machines. And his passion and desire to create art was influenced by his ethnicity é¢a‚" Chinese heritage and in-born artistic talent. Life was challenging for him, but he was a survivor. Ham leaves three sons, and a daughter, and eight grandchildren whom he loved deeply. The family is hoping to plan a special Memorial Art Show for their Father in the near future and are inviting people who knew Ham throughout his long life and who own Ham's art work to join us at the funeral service and/or leave their name and phone number with the funeral home for future contact. Resting at the D. J. ROBB FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTRE where a memorial service will be held on Thursday September 8th at 3:00 pm. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 pm until time of service. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, sympathy may be expressed through memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Society.

Visitation

• Date and Time: - on Tuesday, February 29, 2000

Funeral Details

• Date and Time: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 at 12:00 AM