David Fung 15/07/1933 - 23/07/2015

[NZBC]

In Memory Of
David Fung
15/07/1933 - 23/07/2015

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David Fung, on Thursday 23 July 2015.
Dearly loved husband of Esther, loved father and father-in-law of Christopher and Ping-Ann, Lindsay and Xuemei, the late Victoria and Diarmid and Tram, loving grandfather of Isaac, Leomana, Salvy and Sophie. Loved brother and brother-in-law of the late Kathryn, Betty, Aimee and Peter, and Kitty. Loved of Leefun.

Sincerest thanks to St John’s Ambulance Christchurch, Christchurch Hospital Emergency Medicine, and the surgical team and nursing staff of the Cardiathoracic Intensive Care Unit.

Messages to David's family maybe left on his tribute page or posted to c/- PO Box 7123 Wellington 6242.

Donations in lieu of flowers to Epilepsy NZ PO Box 2806 Wellington 6140
or to the
"Department of Intensive Care Trust Fund" Christchurch Hospital PO Box 4710 Christchurch 8140 may be left at the service.

A celebration of David’s life is to be held at Old St Paul’s, 34 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon on Friday July 31 at 11am followed by a private cremation.


The Wilson Funeral Home
Members of the Funeral Directors Association of NZ

[NZBC]

Stuart Wong
30/07/2015

Eather and family... I'm very shocked to learn of David's passing. Only seeing him at the Harbourside markets several Sundays ago and asking him to autograph his new book for me. He was a great man working quietly within the Chinese community. RIP my friend, your job has been done. Missed by all who knew him, but never forgotten.

Stuart Wong JP
Karen Workman
30/07/2015

Much love and condolences on this sad occasion. A great man, with an inspiring life story and a true legacy. May he be honoured today, as he has been throughout his life.

Sending love from Karen, Peter & children.
Laurence Yung
30/07/2015

I was saddened to hear about Uncle David's death. But I know that he had a life that was full of richness.
I still see him driving us around the last time Mum and I were in NZ looking for the fish and chip shop.
I have many fond memories visiting with Uncle David and Aunty Esther in Karori many moons ago.
Unfortunately, we were not able to get down to NZ as a family to visit much to my sadness before Uncle David died.

Love to all,
Laurence, Laura, Cathleen, and Jennifer.
Ian and Anna Pike
30/07/2015

Esther - Anna and I want to pass on our thoughts and sincerest condolences regarding dear David. We so enjoyed his company and have fond memories of David's sense of humour, the twinkle in his eye and his generous quiet spirit.
We know you will miss him greatly; we also know how many friends you have who will support you through this sad time.

I also extend the sympathies of all the City Shaper staff at Wellington City Council.
Doug & Bev Wong
29/07/2015

We were so saddened to learn of David's passing.

We knew David for many years. He was a genuine person of the highest integrity with many leadership qualities. He was an outstanding father and a supportive husband to Esther.

We will always remember him for his thoughtful and considered opinions, our engaging conversations, and particularly the lighter times where both David and Esther would bring much wit and laughter.

David lived a very fulfilling life and like so many others we are thankful for his contributions to society. May your family find comfort in reflecting on David's accomplishments and cherishing each beautiful memory.

With heartfelt thoughts,
Doug & Bev
Ehlin & Bon Young
29/07/2015

Our deepest sympathy on your loss of David. He will be sadly missed.
A great friend and indomitable worker for the Chinese Community.
We will always remember him with great affection.

Ehlin and Bon Young

[NZBC]

www.tributes.co.nz/Play.aspx?ID=1274

[NZBC]

Jack Fenaughty
31/07/2015

Dear Esther and family, We were so sorry to hear of David's death. In the times we spent together - sadly few and far between - he was always a great oasis of calm and wisdom in the midst of our groups. I will miss him in all future meetings of the bamboo society - seeing David was always one of my highlights.

With sadness at David's passing,
Jack Fenaughty
Rhonda Ding
31/07/2015

Dear Esther & Family,

The Canterbury Branch of NZ Chinese Association was extremely honoured to have had the presence of David and yourself at the recent regional The History Book Launch Event. His tireless dedication to completion of this unique and successful Book amongst many many other amazing achievements through his lifetime. As a result we are all richer and will miss him dearly.

Our deepest sympathy to you all. Treasure the many happy memories.

From
Rhonda Ding & Brian Ngan
Ping-Ann Addo-Fung
31/07/2015

Dear Mum and brothers and rest of the family

The children and I join in your sorrow and loss, and send our most loving support and well-wishes for this day of celebration. A celebration of Dad's life, love and legacy, that lives forever in all of us. May he rest in Peace.

love,
Pingi, Isaac and Leomana.
Katrina Ching
30/07/2015

Dear Esther and family

With deepest sympathy on your loss. I hadn't seen you for many years, it was only recently that mum and I saw you at the book launch and Chinese Association anniversary dinner. We were glad we had the opportunity to talk with you briefly at such a great occasion. I know that mum really enjoyed seeing you both again after such a long time.

Our thoughts are with you all.

Katrina

[NZBC]

Harvey Wu
7/08/2015

EULOGY FOR DAVID FUNG

My name is Harvey Wu and I am a past President of both the New Zealand Chinese Association and the Wellington Chinese Association. I have been asked to speak about David’s contribution to the Chinese community. Due to David’s sudden and unexpected demise I am regrettably unable to attend his service as I will be overseas. I have therefore asked Steven Young, the current president of the Wellington Chinese Association, to speak on my behalf.

I have known David for many years and have considerable involvement with him in Chinese community affairs for over 20 years and most recently worked with him on the writing of the book “Turning Stone into Jade – The History of the New Zealand Chinese Association”

David was a deep and forward thinker. He was a single minded and determined individual, unpretentious and humble and it was these characteristics that allowed him to attain his goal to make a contribution to the Chinese community. He was not a person looking for glory, he was dedicated to the tasks he had chosen to fight for, he only wanted to get the job done. A testament to this is the fact that he never sought high honours in the organisations he was involved in. For example, he never sought to be the President of these organisations although I believe he would have been easily elected if he has put in his nomination. He, despite many people wanting to put him up for New Zealand honours, always responded that he was not interested, such was his humility and humbleness.

David has done many things for the Chinese community and has left behind his legacy in three major achievements. In 1986, despite being a busy neurologist, he felt that the Wellington Chinese Association was moribund, and he decide that something had to be done about it. David set about establishing a proper organisational framework including an updated constitution and procedures. He almost singlehandedly got together a new governance committee and he took on the task of being the news editor and produced a regular newsletter for the community to read. He did not seek to be President and left that role to others, he only wanted the Association to be strong and relevant to the Chinese community. He carried out this task for many years and was still until his passing.. The Wellington Chinese Association may not be here today if it was not for David’s efforts.

After this, as a delegate to the parent body, the New Zealand Chinese Association, David urged that the constitution for the national body also be rewritten. I was the national body’s Chairman at that time, and as I agreed with his view I took on the task and completed it in 1996. This task was completed by myself in 1996 and became the framework for what the New Zealand Chinese Association is today. It was David who lit the first fire that bought the change..

It is not commonly known that during this period, David also did some research on the Poll Tax levied by the Government on Chinese migrating to New Zealand. He felt that this tax was discriminatory as it was only levied on the Chinese. He thought something should be done about it. David approached the New Zealand Chinese Association and suggested that they should do some research on the matter. During my term as President, David kept reminding me to pursue the matter. A research paper was commissioned and completed and resulted in the Chinese community becoming more aware of the injustices of the poll tax. This research paper together with the greater awareness by the community became the catalyst for a campaign which finally resulted in the Government of the day apologising to the Chinese community and as part of that apology established the Chinese Heritage Poll Tax Trust Fund of $5,000,000. This Trust has become the funding source of many projects on Chinese culture and history. It would be fair to say that had it not been for David’s initiative of raising the poll tax issue in the first place, the apology would not have happened nor the Trust Fund established. David did not seek any recognition for his initiative and sought no credit for it. The Trust Fund is another legacy left behind for the future generations as a result of David’s endeavours.

Some of you will also be aware that David was a keen writer on all manner of things. He had the view that the New Zealand Chinese Association should record its history so that it would not be lost in the future. He thought that current and future generations should have an understanding and appreciation of the contribution of the Association and the early Chinese settlers to the growth and development of the Chinese community as it is today. One of the difficulties in writing the history was that virtually all the old records were in Chinese and there were very few people in the Chinese community who had the skills of reading and writing Chinese and English. David had both these skills. After David retired from his medical practice, I approached him in 2007 and asked him to consider offering his services to write the history of the Association. He readily accepted and thus the writing of the history commenced. It became his labour of love. After 8 years of research, hard work, long hours and total dedication by David it has culminated in the successful launching of the book “Turning Stone into Jade – The History of the New Zealand Chinese Association” by David Fung at the National Library in Wellington.

Unfortunately and unexpectedly, during the launch of his book at the Christchurch branch of the Association he became ill and sadly the following day passed away. Regretfully he went too early and it can only be said that he died doing what he loved.

As Einstein once said “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”

The book written by David is his tree and is his final legacy to the community. Every time I read the book it will remind me of his unsung contribution to us all and I hope it will be to you also.

To Esther and family, please accept my and Barbara’s deepest sympathy for your sad loss. You have suffered a great loss. Rest assured that his memory and contribution to us all will live on.

David, your job is done. May you now rest in peace.
Eddie Chuah
4/08/2015

Dear Ester and family,

Angela and I are so sorry for the loss of David. We are going to miss David as he has contributed so much to the community. We hope you feel surrounded by much love. Sharing your sadness as you remember David. Please accept our condolence and God bless you and comfort you.

Eddie and Angela
Andrew Gee
4/08/2015

Dear Esther, Chris, Lindsay and Diarmid

We were so sad to hear about David's sudden passing. What a lovely tribute that you gave him in his memorial on Friday. Esther, please let us know if we can support you in any way during this difficult time.

With love from Andrew, Pat and Thomas

An Irish Memorial

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there... I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow...
I am the diamond glints on snow...
I am the sunlight on ripened grain...
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight...
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there... I did not die... "
Allison Greco
4/08/2015

So sorry to hear of Dr David passing. I did his accounts at Wakefield for 19 years he was always so pleasant and a joy to work for. My deepest sympathy to Esther and all your family, he will be truely missed.

Sincerely Allison Greco
Teresa Barnard
31/07/2015

Dearest Aunty Esther and cousins,

Ella, Ray's and my thoughts are with you and we wish we could be there to attend the remembrance gathering of Uncle David's wonderful life. My memories are full of his intelligence, gentleness, kindness and his wit. Mum used to tell me stories about her and Uncle David's childhood in China, and about how they came to New Zealand. We are so proud of what they have all achieved. Uncle David's huge achievements from his distinguished career to his writing his book has been a wonderful example of a man who has embraced life fully.

We send you much love and look forward to seeing you in September.

Teresa

[Benson Choy]

Dear Esther and the children,
You may not remember us at all. We met You and David when he was at Runwell Hospital before the family moved back to New Zealand. We visited your home in Wickford several time and babysat the boys on a few occasions.
We (Benson, Wai Wah, my sister and my wife Wai Ping) immigrated to Vancouver BC in 1975. We missed you and David.

Benson