Man Keung “John” Wong, age 67, peacefully entered into eternal rest on August 2, 2020, in the comfort of his home. He was the beloved husband of Pui Ying “Amy” Chan Wong.
Mr. Wong was born in Guangdong, China on November 21, 1952. A resident of Seymour since 1992, he and his wife were the well-known owners of John’s Deli on Pearl Street in Seymour for 26 years, until their retirement in 2018. If there was one word that could describe him as a person and his approach to life, it would be “fighter”. He spent his entire life always fighting for something – fighting for survival, fighting for an education, fighting for opportunities, fighting for a better life.
Mr. Wong was born shortly before the Cultural Revolution and lost his father during that time. He and his family survived famine and he was one of only a handful of children allowed to continue his education which required that he walk six hours to return home on the weekends. He swam through shark infested waters to escape Communist rule and made his way to Macau and Hong Kong. In 1980, he emigrated to United States with only $100 in his pocket and no knowledge of English but within 48 hours, he was on a bus to Vermont to work as a cook in a Chinese restaurant.
For several years he crisscrossed the East Coast, going wherever the jobs were to gain the knowledge and money he needed to open his own Chinese restaurant. He owned several restaurants before opening John’s Deli.
In addition to his wife Amy, he leaves to cherish his memory, sons, Wayne Hong Wong (Amy Chung) of Boston, MA and David Wong (Jennifer Kwok) of Piscataway, NJ, a daughter, Lisa Wong (Brian Costello) of Boston, MA, grandchildren, Owen and Isaac Costello and Archer Wong. His greatest purpose in life was to provide for his family and he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
A private visitation for immediate family will be held followed by burial in Mount Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Derby. The SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia has been privileged with the arrangements. To sign John’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
