LEONG, Arthur William

[nzbc]

Arthur LEONG Obituary
LEONG, Arthur William. Passed away peacefully at Hospice Waikato surrounded by family on Wednesday 30th August 2023, aged 92 years. Loved husband of Maureen for 65 years. Beloved dad of Dennis (deceased), Shelley and Gerard, Debra and Bruce, Brett and Heather and Craig and Kim (deceased). Dearly loved Goong Goong and Ah Yeah of 14 Grandchildren and Tai Goong to 4 great grandchildren. Funeral service details for Arthur to follow. All correspondence to the Leong family C/- PO Box 276, Hamilton 3240. Woolertons Funeral Home FDANZ notices.nzherald.co.nz/nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/name/arthur-leong-obituary?id=53001586

Published by The New Zealand Herald on Sep. 2, 2023.

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Some of my favourite memories: Arthur patiently helping me learn to snow ski at Whakapapa when I was in my late teens, meeting him at Tawa Street to go running around Hamilton Lake with Lisa (their much loved King Charles Spaniel), showing him and Maureen around London and skiing with him and Maureen in Austria and the USA. So many more fond and happy memories of a lovely man who will be so missed. Much love and hugs to all the family.
Lesley Vanner
Friend
September 3, 2023
Arthur was inspirational and from age 15, took me on a lifetime love of football and will always be my greatest hero. Condolences to all his family. Noel McKay
Noel McKay
Friend
September 2, 2023
One of my favourite teachers at Fairfield College who encouraged me into running and keeping fit. Rest well Mr Leong.
Adrian Gavin
School
September 2, 2023
Sorry to read of the passing of Arthur, Mr Leong was my PE teacher etc at Te Awamutu College (1957-1960 approx) , I remember him trying to convince me to play soccer, but as was the reality in those days rugby took preference. I extended my sympathy to all his family. Colin Dowling ex pupil.
Colin Dowling
School
September 2, 2023
What an awesome life. He played Football for NZ! HOD of PE at Fairfield College for a very long time and was the kindest most cheerful, positive man. I was so lucky to have him as my boss and friend. My condolences to the family. Anne Smith
Anne Smith
Work
September 2, 2023

[nzbc]

Meet Arthur Leong, believed to be our oldest living New Zealand international
posted in: Heritage, News, Recognition |
By Bruce Holloway

The “Technical Old Boys “name has pretty much disappeared from New Zealand’s football landscape these days.

But 60 years ago, in 1962, this tiny Hamilton club was the talk of the code – and certainly talk of the town — when it became the first team outside the four main centres to win the Chatham Cup.

And wrapped up in the pioneering heritage of this club — which only existed from 1949 to 1963 — is a story within a story, about a man who was its heart and soul, and is today possibly New Zealand’s oldest living All White.

Arthur Leong, who became the first player of Chinese ethnicity to represent New Zealand, when selected for a 3-2 win against Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) on June 6, 1959, enjoyed his 92nd birthday in March 2022.

In an era when there weren’t a lot of matches, Leong went on to earn 15 New Zealand caps up until 1964, playing as either left back or centre half in the old 2-3-5 formation, or as wing half.

Being just 5′ 5″ and 10 stone 6lb in the old money, Leong was a small unit for a defensively-minded player, but was blessed with great pace and agility, and was also powerful in the air despite his compact stature.

A match report of the Deportivo Saprissa game published in the Waikato Times said Leong played “extremely well” and he was “one of the New Zealanders who clearly wanted to play class soccer”.

“Leong was by far the quickest New Zealander to the tackle and if he sometimes played dangerously far forward he used the ball with more skill than he has in the past.”

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Leong made an equally important contribution as Technical Old Boys’ coach and captain – and guiding his club to the 1962 Chatham Cup triumph is his enduring legacy.

Remarkably Leong, who lives barely a corner kick from Gower Park in Melville these days, can still fit into the New Zealand shirt he wore in playing Tom Finney’s English FA touring team in 1961, where it was his job to mark the great Finney.

Main photo (above): Leong can still fit into the New Zealand shirt he wore against Finney’s team in 1961.

Sadly Leong’s memory is pretty shot, and his wife Maureen remembers more of the detail about a highly significant football career than he does.



www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2022/10/05/meet-arthur-leong-believed-to-be-our-oldest-living-new-zealand-international/?fbclid=IwAR0z3jCNEiHfbkQlalLmdKAV9HG-zS0k1t1S4BZnS5_ksXr2YAJYmddg4M4

[nzbc]

Vale: Waikato football loses Arthur Leong, pioneering coach and All White www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/09/01/vale-waikato-football-loses-arthur-leong-pioneering-coach-and-all-white/

[nzbc]

Dearly loved 'uncle Arthur' and best friend of our dad Bernie. A lifetime of memories, always a smile. One if the most positive and funniest gentleman. You will be greatly missed. Sending love and condolences to Maureen and all the family.
Sarah Fitz
Friend

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My very since condolences to Maureen and all the family. I am sorry that I am unable to be present at the funeral. Arthur always had a smile on his face, going to miss that cheeky smile.
Glennis Young
Family
September 6, 2023
My condolences to the whole Leong family. He helped create such a wonderful family, so well known and respected in Hamilton. I have been lucky enough to know some of the Leong children, several grand sons and have even met a great grandchild but I remember vividly watching Arthur and his wife dancing so beautifully at their grandsons wedding. What a wonderful legacy and memories he leaves. Pam Bayes
Pam Bayes
September 6, 2023
Jack and I send our sincere condolences to Maureen and family on their sad loss of Arthur. May the love and support from family and friends ease your grief.
Jack and Nancy Leong
Friend
September 6, 2023
Rip to a legend miss you heaps Arthur
Jenna
Family
September 5, 2023
All my love to the family.
Hazel White
New Zealand
Hazel White
Friend

[nzbc]

My sincere condolences to Maureen and Family, he was a great phys ed teacher, a kind man and his smile would light up a room.
I always thought of him as an uncle.

Dave Barton.
Dave Barton
September 8, 2023
Loved working with Arthur, always so cheerful and ready to help teach me the best way to enjoy football with my 3rd form boys! Great Tai Chi enthusiast too. Thank you Arthur for the memories of being a friend and work colleague.
Sincere sympathy to you Maureen and family
Jeanette and Barry Johnston

'Those we love don't walk away
They stay beside us everyday
Unseen, unheard, but always near
Still loved, still missed, still very dear'
Jeanette Johnston
Work
September 7, 2023
To Shelley and family, It was a privilege to be taught by Arthur at Te Awamut uCollege in the PE and Sports dept.He was always cheerful and willing to give guidance in many sports (For me it was gymnastics ,hockey swimming and dance).He used innovative and inspirational methods to inspire us.He and Maureen came and demonstrated ballroom dancing in a beautiful suit and Maureen in amazing dresses.They appeared to be colourful butterflies circling each other on the dance floor.He was a great help when we asked for the hall on wet lunchtimes to have our school band play so we could rock and roll.It was a great day when the staff played the 1st fifteen. Arthur on the right wing and using plenty of foot work , took a long kick from the left ,fielded it with his right foot upwards grabbed it and out ran the boys. What a dayAmost enjoyable 4 years with Arthur at the helm .Claire Mc Govern Bradley
claire christine McGovern Bradley
September 7, 2023
To the Leong Family,
Thinking of you all at this sad time and sending condolences your way. We have fond memories of running with Arthur at the Hamilton Marathon Clinic. He was always so positive and encouraging. May he rest in peace.
Alistair and Bronagh Crook
Other
September 6, 2023