Charles Shut-Chow Sung's Obituary
Sung, Charles Shut-Chow
November 7th, 1933-August 28th, 2022
Charles Shut-Chow Sung was born in November 1933 in Yantai, Shandong Province in China. He was the second oldest of five children. He lived through the Japanese occupation of China during WWII, which resulted in over 20 million casualties. He was seven years old when the Japanese soldiers went to his house to search for Chinese soldiers or anyone who was anti-Japanese. Charles and his family were ordered to line up outside in the front yard, with bayonets pointed towards them. Meanwhile, three other soldiers searched the house room by room. Shortly after, they emerged and reported to their sergeant that they were a very good family because they found evidence that they are Buddhists. Upon hearing the report, the sergeant immediately bowed down to them and apologized. Afterwards, they were able to fall out of line and relax. The soldiers went to hold his baby brother, because he resembled a handsome white boy. They took him to the backyard to take pictures and gave all the children jelly candy.
At the age of sixteen Charles enlisted in the Chinese Army in order to provide for his siblings. His mother died early of cancer and his wealthy father fled China to avoid persecution from the Communist Party. By the grace of God, he was spared from serving on the front lines. Instead, our father taught English to the Chinese soldiers.
Thereafter, he moved his siblings to Hong Kong, where he started his own business in importing and exporting of artificial flowers. He married Koo Ying Wong and had two children, Simon and Julie.
Charles then immigrated his family to Canada, where he had his third child William. Due to marital strife, he relocated his kids to San Diego. He supported us solely off his life savings. He instilled in us the importance of education and was a very hands-on and responsible father. As a result, we all graduated from reputable Universities.
Our father was a homebody. His favorite pastimes consisted of reading the Chinese newspapers, watching WWE wrestling, admiring the cherry blossoms, making fish dumplings, watching Chinese programs on YouTube until early morning, and frequenting dim sum restaurants.
He loved China and was proud of its status as an emerging superpower. His legacy will live on through his children and four grandchildren (Sebastian, Simonne, Ella and Seraphina). He would be proud to learn that all his granddaughters are learning Mandarin.
Our beloved father went into sudden cardiac arrest on the night of August 28th, 2022. He collapsed on the kitchen floor. Despite extensive efforts, he could not be resuscitated. He was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital. He was 88 years old. Rest in paradise Dad. Love you always.
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