Dear Doris, Winston, Vivian & family.
It's with great sadness for me to write these words to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of my lifelong esteemed business partner and friend to whom I consider more like a blood brother.
For people who don't know me, here is briefly the story of Kingsley family and my family, which goes back to a bit more than 50 years. I met Kingsley when we were both taking the CGA accounting courses in the early 1970's. And by the mid-70's, Winston & Vivian - Kingsley's children and Derek & Alan - my children were born. Thereafter, for the latter part of 70's, our families met frequently and the kids played and grew up together.
Our professional and business partnership career started in 1981 when Kingsley invited me to join into an original 3-partners accounting firm. From 1981 to 1986, this accounting firm also morphed into a real estate sales and management firm. But by 1987, the original elder partner withdrew from the firm; thereafter, Kingsley and I started our own 2-partners accounting firm under the name of Yeung & Chong, CGA's and a real estate company under the name of K&R Properties Ltd.
Take note that 1987 was a year after 1986 Vancouver Expo, and shortly after that, the old Expo site was purchased by the HK billionaire - Li Ka-shing. That major investment by Li Ka-shing propelled a countless number of investors and immigrants from HK wanting to come to Vancouver during the early 1990's. With this influx of new arrivals, our accounting and real estate businesses thrived during this golden decade of the 1990's.
However, by the 2000's, our businesses started taking a breather as these new HK investors and immigrants were returning back to HK. Reason for that was their fear of 1997 HK reverting back to CPC Mainland China became just a footnote in the 2000's.
For almost three decades, Kingsley wasn't just my business partner; he was my friend, my collaborator and a sounding board for my business and personal concerns. I spent more time with Kingsley than I do with anyone else during that time. We navigated some tough times, celebrated milestones & triumphs and shared countless cups of coffee and lunches. Although we had disagreements, we always had a way of cutting through the noises to the heart of the matter and finding clarity and resolution.
I have to admit that I am not a hard worker like Kingsley as I decided to retire from professional accountant and realtor in 2009 while Kingsley opted to continue the same career on his own. Nevertheless, even after I retired, Kingsley and I often get together for lunches or breakfasts and talked about the old time shared his wisdom with me.
So, to the Yeung Family, my deepest sympathies. I know Kingsley is in a better place now and thank you for sharing such a wonderful and remarkable person in my life.
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