Person

Wong, Dong Gee

• Wong, Dong Lee
• Wong, Jack

1895-1952

WONG Dong Gee (Lee) (known in Canada as Jack Wong) was born in Namtoon, China in 1895.

He arrived in Canada in 1911 at age 16, sponsored by his cousin, WONG Sun. Initially, he worked and boarded in a laundry on Union Street in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

Jack attended school while working at the laundry, completing grade one. His status as a student for one year made him eligible for a refund of the $500 head tax.

In 1918, Jack and his cousin opened the Eric Café on Charlotte Street in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The cafe remained in operation until 1932.

Most Chinese migrants did not return to China until after they had been in Canada for at least 10 years. As luck would have it, Jack won the Chinese lottery in November 1921, and had enough money to make a return trip to China. While in China, he built a house, married, and started a family. He had a son who was named Kai Doai.

Jack’s family remained in China while he returned to Canada in order to earn money and support his new family. Chinese were permitted to take temporary leave of Canada for a maximum two years. Most men stayed a year and a half which was enough time to get married and sire a child.

Between 1928 and 1936, Jack worked in the Radio Café restaurant in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

He died in 1952 from cancer and is buried in Hardwood Hill cemetery in Sydney.

Wong, Dhung Yin (1887-1962)

Wong, Dong Han (1898-1965)

Description supplied by collector/curator