Eulogy of Jonathan by Mitchell (Best Friend)

Hi My name is Mitchell and On behalf of the friends from ACS barker and the friends we've collected along the way, we just want to express our deepest condolences to you (family of Jon) and to let you know that you will always have our full support (for anything that you need).

I will try my best to keep this upbeat cos that's the way Wong would want it.

I've had the privilege of having a lot of memories with Wong and it's only natural that when something so tragic as this happens I began to start going through them one by one as if to cling on to the only thing we have left, which are memories. So please allow me to share some with you.

I first met Wong in 1998. You may or may not know that Wong wasn't the best academically. He was actually a year older than me but retained into my secondary 3 class. We didn't hit it off straight away, in fact we are hardly spoke at first. However, one day Wong and I were being punished to stand in the quadrangle next to the flag pole. We were just standing there when he suddenly leaned over and said 'I know if was you who stole my discman right?' I of course denied it and we become fast friends after that. It was only about 3 or 4 years later that I admitted that it really was me who stole his discman but by then it was too late, we were already the best of friends.

2) when we turned 16 we went to this thing called a tea dance. For those who do not know what this was, it was for kids who turned 16 to enter a club and because we weren't of age to drink alcohol yet, we were given non alcoholic beverages instead. Hence the name tea dance. We frequent this club called sparks and in this particular club there was the main dance floor where techno music was played, which was what was in at that point in time. Now everybody was there at the main dance floor and it was packed out but there was also a back dance floor which played mambo or R&B (I can't remember which). And Wong would be found at the back dance floor dancing away all by himself. And that was Wong for you, Always happy doing his own thing, living life to the fullest.

we graduated in 2000 where he decided to sign on to the Air Force. Do you guys know that he's a Master sergeant? Can you imagine that? I have another friend in the Air Force and he tells this story when he would go back to camp for reservist and he would see this huge vehicle drive past and all you could see is the top of the drivers helmet and he would know instantly that it was Wong. After my wife first met Wong she turned to me and said 'he's the most confident short man I've ever met'. And isn't that true? Whatever topic you were talking about, he would proclaim that he's the best. If you were talking about football, he's the best, or baking, he's the best. Did you know that in secondary school Wong once went out with a girl one and a half heads taller than him? All the guys here would agree that you have to be a confident man to do that.

fast forward a few years to around '07-08. Wong started hosting the most epic New Years parties. They were epic because he would make sure to get the best venue, door gifts for everyone, balloons everywhere and made sure he had the best costumes. It didn't matter how much it costs or how much effort it took, he just wanted to have the best party. Now listen, I know it seems like I'm making him out to be this party animal but It wasn't the stuff we did that he was into but rather he was always about making the most out of life and making sure that we did too.

5) when I came back from overseas in 2010 we started hanging out more cos we started attending church with him at Wesley and I began to see a change in him. We would plan awesome Road trips and holidays over long weekends and hang out late sat nights after church but no matter how fun our plans were or how late we stayed up on Saturdays, he would never miss Sunday morning children's church. It was still the same Wong, still passionate still fun loving but now for a different cause. And I would be doing him a great dis service if I didn't explain to you that he had reached a real low point in his life dealing with the addictions that he had. He wouldn't forgive me if I didn't tell you that God reached down and pulled him out of the gutter, gave him real purpose and real joy.

fast forward 23rd jan 2016. That was when I saw him last. It was my daughters full moon party. We had a card station where guest could write cards blessing to my daughter with words that started with G (after her name). And in typical Wong style he wrote her 2 cards and not just one. The first one reads 'hey god daughter! Got problem? Call 97902491'. The 2nd one reads 'be gracious and ginormous, love your God father'. He always previously half joked about being her God father and I would always say no way as he would be late to every birthdays party etc. Well I guess you really forced my hand on this one ... You don't even have to be on time anymore. Just look down from heaven from time to time and make sure she's healthy and going well.

Friends and family of jonathan Wong we are here to mourn his passing but please join with me in also celebrating his life, the many wonderful memories that he's given us. I for one will be thinking of him especially during his favourite days his birthday, Christmas and New Years. You know we visited him when he was away in France and we were doing this hike in Cinque Terre, which is in Italy. The hike was about 1 and a half hours. About 15 minutes into the hike, he sits down tired and says 'leave me here and go on without me, tell my family I love them and I'm sorry'. It is my duty to let you know, family of Wong that he loves everyone of you and that he's sorry.

Wong ... I'll miss you dearly. But don't worry I have without a shadow of doubt that as you ascend to heaven, pass the pearly gates that they will greet you with a huge celebration, giant balloons and a massive door gift. I'll see you real soon brother.