March 2, 2024 PYFT Spring
Banquet (at Great Wall Restaurant)
The
Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Association held
its Annual Spring Banquet on March 2,
2024. At noon, an ancestral veneration
ceremony was held at the Phoenix Yee
Fung Toy Family Association Clan Hall
(3040 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ
85016). The ceremony was simple and
grand and attended by many out of town
guests. Attending from Los Angeles were
Mr. Kenny Q. Yee (Yee Fung Toy
Headquarters Western Grand President),
Mr. & Mrs. Allan Yee (Yee Fung Toy
Headquarters Elder) and Mr. Jian Feng Yu
(Southern California President).
Attending from San Francisco was Mr.
Sherman Yu (Yee Fung Toy Headquarters
Advisor). Other guests included our Yee
Clan members and families, as well as
their friends and families.
After the ceremony, all attendees were
served with a delicious meal which
included roast pig, BBQ pork, dim sum,
chow mein, fried rice, vegetables, our
famous Church’s fried chicken, and the
hometown pastries brought by our aunts
and sisters. While enjoying the
pastries, many of our guests reminisced
and shared their fond memories of their
hometowns in China.
In
the evening, our annual spring banquet
was held at the Great Wall Restaurant in
Phoenix. There were 34 tables filled
with enthusiastic guests both young and
old, boys and girls. Many of us gathered
together for the first time since last
year’s banquet.
In
the night’s opening act, two red and
gold lions showed off their strength,
playfulness and dancing skills, while
guests were serenaded by the rhythmic
drum beats. Overall, the atmosphere and
the noise entertained the audience
thoroughly. The lion dance ended with
the blessing of a “Happy, Healthy and
Successful Year of the Dragon” upon
everyone.
The
banquet was emceed by the English
Secretary Jack Yee and President Brenda
Yee Fung. Jack introduced Arizona State
Treasurer Kimberly Yee, special out of
town guests from Los Angeles and San
Francisco, Chinese Community leaders,
Yee Clan members, friends and families.
Brenda introduced all the dignitaries
and out of town and local community
guests in Chinese.
All
the guests were served with a ten-course
delicious dinner from the highly trained
Great Wall restaurant staff.
Mrs. Betty Yee and Mrs. Buddy Hing, the
chairpersons of the PYFT Scholarship
Division, awarded six scholarships to
the young and aspiring members of our
Yee
Clan. The three recipients of the high
school scholarships were Mikayla Yue,
Nicholas Yee and Noah Hing. The three
recipients of the eighth-grade
scholarships were Noah Yee, Sammie Yee
and Elizabeth Hing.
Then, Brenda introduced her board and
officers to the audience. The board made
a toast to everyone in the audience and
wished everyone a Happy and Healthy
New Year!
The
last program of the evening was our
favorite one (which was also our beloved
Uncle John’s favorite): the raffle.
Uncle John’s three sons Dean, Fred and
Paul
and their families were in the audience.
Once again, the raffle drawing was
headed by Uncle John’s son Paul. The
raffle prizes included restaurant gift
certificates, Starbucks gift
certificates, Lee Kam Kee gifts, and
many others which
were all donated by various restaurants
and individuals. At least one person per
table received a fun table gift.
Secretary Jack gave the benediction and
wished everyone a happy, healthy,
prosperous and safe Year of the Dragon!
We hope everyone returns again next
year!
Brenda Yee Fung
President of the
Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Association
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Rudolph Yee Obituary -
Phoenix, AZ
Rudy Yee, a pillar of the
Phoenix-Chinese community and a beloved
husband, father, and grandfather,
peacefully passed away in his sleep at
home on the night of February 25, 2024,
at the age of 83. Born on April 19,
1940, Rudy was the son of immigrants and
grew up alongside his brothers in the
family store, Sam Kim Market, located in
central Phoenix. In 1955, the Yee family
relocated and opened Glenex Market on
11th Ave and Glendale Road.
Rudy was drafted into the United States
Army and proudly served as an Air
Defense Technician in Okinawa from 1962
to 1964. In 1966, he married the love of
his life, Mary Ann, with whom he shared
a life full of love and devotion.
Through the highs and lows of life, Rudy
carried his family's legacy to forge a
better life, first as an engineer then
as a restauranteur. He was a loving
husband, father of three sons (Kevin,
Jason, and Stephen), and grandfather of
11 grandchildren. Rudy cherished his
family above all else.
Rudy was also an integral part of the
Phoenix Chinese community, co-founding
the Chinese-American Citizens Alliance
in Phoenix alongside State Senator Wing
F. Ong in 1974. Rudy's community service
also included the Phoenix Yee Fung Toy
Family Association, the Phoenix Chinese
annual 4th of July celebrations, the
Chinese United Association of Greater
Phoenix, The American Legion Thomas Tang
Post 50, and the Chinese Senior Citizens
Center. A life-long member of The First
Chinese Baptist Church of Phoenix, Rudy
also supported the Northwest Chinese
Baptist Church, where his son Stephen
serves as a pastor.
Rudy's legacy is one of selflessness and
unwavering dedication to others. He
found joy in helping others and making
everyone feel at home. His life was a
testament to service, whether to his
country, his community, his friends, or
most importantly, his family.
A
celebration of Rudy's life will be held
on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Greenwood
Memory Lawn in Phoenix. Public viewing
will begin at 9am in the Serenity
Chapel, followed by a memorial service
at 11am, where friends, family, and
community members will come together to
honor and celebrate Rudy's remarkable
legacy and share cherished memories.
In
lieu of flowers, Rudy requested
donations be made, in honor of his
memory, to one of his many beloved
Phoenix Chinese community organizations
such as:
1. First Chinese Baptist Church,
Phoenix - https://fcbcphx.org/give
2. Northwest Chinese Baptist Church
- https://www.nwcbc.org/en/give
3. Yee Fung Toy Family Association,
3040 North 16th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
(602) 274-0709 or (602) 253-064
4. The Phoenix Chinese-American
Citizens Alliance (P.C.A.C.A.)
P.O.Box 38336
Phoenix, AZ 85069
email: cacaphx@gmail.com
5. American Legion (Thomas Tang Post
50) - https://azlegion.org/about-us/donate/
Posted
online on March 27, 2024
Published
in The Arizona Republic
Service Information
Visitation
Greenwood
Memory Lawn 19 N 27th Ave, Phoenix AZ
85009
March 30, 2024 at
9:00 AM
Memorial
Service
Greenwood
Memory Lawn 19 N 27th Ave, Phoenix AZ
85009
March 30, 2024 at
11:00 AM
斐匿余風采堂訊
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