From The Straits Times    |

Photo: The Straits Times/Apple Daily

When Woo Fung, the kindly father figure in countless TVB dramas and a godfather to the stars, grieves, many others grieve with him.

The actor’s wife of 59 years, Lui Wing Ho, died after a long illness on Oct 12 at the age of 82.

On Tuesday, singers Jacky Cheung and Sandy Lam were among the godchildren who attended the wake at Universal Funeral Parlour, said Apple Daily.

Stars including Leon Lai, Lam, Cheung and his wife, May Lo, had sent flowers to the funeral hall, said Oriental Sunday. In the evening, Cheung arrived at the wake with actor Nick Cheung. Singer Prudence Liew was there with Lam.

Former matinee idol Woo’s contemporaries and friends, including Patrick Tse, Liza Wang, Connie Chan, Pak Suet Sin, Nancy Sit and Law Lan, also attended the Christian ceremony.

Woo’s wreath for his wife was placed at the front of the hall, close to her photo, with a card that read: “Our love has ended in this life, may it continue in the afterlife”.

The couple met at a Christmas party where he was singing carols and they fell in love, according to Ming Pao Daily News.

Later, he joined show business despite his parents’ objections, but with his wife’s support.

Soon, he was establishing his career as a leading man and his film bosses told him to keep his relationship and subsequent marriage secret – which he felt bad about.

But his wife spurred him on and also served as his stylist.

Woo has five children, six grandchildren and at least two great- grandchildren.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Woo, 85, said his wife was “blessed” and “saw everyone before she left”. “Her last breath was a smile.”

Choking up, he said his last words to her were: “Everyone’s good. Don’t worry, go or you’ll be in pain.”

Then, he turned and entered a lift to go back up to the wake.

 

The orginal version of this story was published in The Straits Times on October 20, 2016

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