Obituary of Anthony Choo Hong Wong

Passed peacefully at home in Ottawa Canada on April 11, 2025 at age 90. Beloved husband of Celine Nyuk Yin Wong and proud father of Sharon Sueh Ling (Zak Raml) and Frank. Grandfather of Kayna and Aleah. Born in Taiping, Malaya, Anthony journeyed widely and lived a courageous life. As a ten year old boy, he was forced to work as an errand boy in a Japanese internment camp in Siam during the Second World War. Later he trained as a mechanic in the British army in Singapore. In 1958, he embarked on months of overland travel, working at odd jobs along the way, that took him from Malaya, to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe and England. In London, Anthony worked as a mechanic for the Jaguar company and he married Celine in 1962.

Throughout his years, Anthony remained an active, lifelong learner. Upon moving the family to Canada in 1967, he continued working as a mechanic and, with Celine, supported family members to migrate and to establish lives in Canada. In the mid-1970s, he trained as a teacher at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario, and became a dedicated teacher of auto mechanics at Ottawa Technical High School. 

Tony was talented and self- taught in many areas, learning to skate and downhill ski in his 30s. He could fix and build most anything, restoring the first family home in the Britannia Beach area of Ottawa and the family cottage on Lac St-Pierre-de-Wakefield, Quebec. In his 70s he learned the use of a personal computer. He was an avid weightlifter, a tai chi and chi gong practitioner for many years, and  cross-country skied with Celine near their home. In retirement, Tony and Celine voyaged on many cruises, reaching all corners of the world and maintaining their ballroom dancing steps.  

Anthony is well-remembered for his example, courage, generosity and storytelling by a large extended family, principally in Canada and Malaysia, but also in England, Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. 

Sincere thanks to Celine Wong (formerly a registered nurse), his personal support workers and physicians for their excellent care. Family and close friends may pay respects at a Celebration of Life on Saturday afternoon, April 19, at the family home. In memoriam, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society are appreciated. Condolences, sharing memories and sending flowers can be done at colefuneralservices.com.