Obituary of Lim Ngoon Fong

Lim N. Fong, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 at Juniper Village at Brookline, State College, PA. Born in 1926, he was the son of the late Yet Ying Fong (Ngai) and Kwon Chan of Astoria, NY. Lim was born in Toishan (Taishan) County, Guangdong Province, China. At age 11, Lim came to the United States with his father. They operated a laundry in Brooklyn, N.Y. and regularly sent money to support their family in China. From 1945 to 1946, Lim served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II and in Korea prior to the Korean War. In 1948, he married Sui Hong and brought her to the United States as a G.I. bride. Lim and Sui moved to Pottstown, Pa., in 1957 to open a laundry that would become a successful business and downtown landmark. For more than 30 years, Lim and Sui operated Fong's Laundry, washing, pressing, and folding thousands of shirts, sheets, uniforms and other items for six to seven days a week. The couple worked tirelessly 10-12 hours a day, assisted by their children. Their clients included local prominent business owners and executives of major manufacturers such as Firestone Tire and Bethlehem Steel and banks. Lim and Sui were always proud that all of their three children were first-generation college graduates. His hobbies included photography, woodworking, gardening, and financial investing. After retiring in 1990, Lim and Sui moved to State College to help care for their granddaughter, Harley, for over a decade in the Stonebridge neighborhood. He cherished their activities, games, and trips with Harley, and he experienced great joy in being "Gung-gung" (Chinese name for grandfather). Surviving are two daughters, Sandy of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Vicki and her husband, Greg Grieco of State College; one grand-daughter, Harley Ngai Grieco of Brooklyn, N.Y.; one sister, Ivy Chow of Astoria N.Y.; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their children. Preceding him in death are his wife Sui Fong; one son, Jack Fong of Fairfax, Va.; one brother, James Chom Y. Ngai formerly of Perth Amboy, N.J.; and one sister, King Kum Wong of Brooklyn, N.Y. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, starting at 2 p.m. at the Koch Funeral Home, State College. Prior to the celebration, the family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. until time of service. Private burial will be in the Boalsburg Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Koch Funeral Home of State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions can be sent to State College Community Land Trust, 1315 S. Allen St., Suite 306, State College, PA 16801, or at www.scclandtrust.org