MELROSE — Richard Chung Hong, 91, a lifelong resident of Melrose, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Richard was born in Lynn on October 23, a son of the late Chung N. Hong and Ng Shee Hong. He grew up in Melrose, where he was educated in the Melrose Public School system and graduated from Melrose High School in 1948. He received his bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in 1953 and his master’s degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1956. He enlisted into the United States Army on January 9, 1945 and served his country with courage and honor during World War II. He was discharged on November 24, 1946 with the rank of Private First Class.
Richard worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of New Hampshire as a registered professional engineer who oversaw the design, planning and construction of Interstate Highway 93 as well as Kennedy Airport, water dams and bridges throughout the Northeast.
Richard worked for over two decades with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and his projects included the design and restoration of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, Downtown Boston, Chinatown, Charlestown Navy Yard, South End among many other neighborhoods of Boston.
Richard was an active member of The Melrose Green Street Baptist Church since his youth and later served on the Board of Trustees. Richard was inducted into the International Supreme Council of The Order of DeMolay, as a high school student. He was inducted as a Mason in 1966 and achieved the Wyoming Lodge “Roll of Honor” in appreciation of his dedicated service recognized at the Masonic Wyoming Lodge, Melrose Chapter. Later that year, he was appointed a member of the Advisory Council. Richard also received a Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of his service to his country by serving in the Armed Forces and to Wyoming Lodge A.F. and A.M. in Melrose in November 2013.
Richard was a meticulously hardworking, loving family man dedicated to his wife, Linda and his two daughters, and he enjoyed his sons-in-law. His hobbies included photography, artwork drawing, woodworking and doing homework with his grandchildren and attending their ice hockey, baseball, dance recitals and music events. One of his most favorite pastimes with his wife Linda was ballroom dancing as well as square and round dancing throughout New England. He was also active in “calling” at many square dance events.
Richard’s greatest pride and joy were his eight grandchildren and their educational accomplishments that includes three dentists, two dental DMD students, two business finance professionals in nationally ranked Hedge Funds and his youngest granddaughter at Dartmouth College. Richard was looking forward to enjoying his first baby great-grandchild due in May 2015 from Kathryn and Paul Roy. Above all else, Richard Hong placed “Family First” in his heart.
Richard was the beloved husband of 60 years to Linda (Eng) Hong. He was the devoted father of Dorothy Hong Courtney and her husband Dr. Michael W. Courtney of Belmont; and Dr. Debra Hong Pan and her husband Dr. Nelson Pan of Melrose. He was the loving grandfather to Dr. Elizabeth Courtney Jones and her husband Dr. Derek Jones of Wells, Maine; Dr. Sarah Courtney of Belmont and her fiancé Matthew Owens; Dr. Michael W. Courtney Jr. of Belmont; Kathryn Courtney Roy and her husband Paul Roy of Melrose; Richard T. Courtney of Boston; Jeffrey Pan of Melrose; Jason Pan of Melrose and Katelyn Pan of Melrose. He was the beloved brother of Robert Hong and his wife Meiling Hong of Malden; Marie Wong and her husband Wing G. Wong of Melrose; Rolland C. Hong and his wife Jean Hong of Melrose; Mabel C. Hong Shin and her late husband W. Wing Shin of Reading; and Marion C. Lee and her husband Dr. Hon Chi Lee of Oakland, California. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Richard’s funeral service on Monday, March 16 at 11 a.m. in The Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main St. Melrose. His burial will be held at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, March 15 from 2-6 p.m. in the funeral home.
May you always walk in sunshine and God’s love around you flow, for the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know, it broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, a part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
A million times we’ve needed you.
A million times we’ve cried.
If love could only have saved you.
You never would have died.
The Lord be with you
And May You Rest in Peace.
To send a message of condolence, Please visit www.CarrFuneral.com.
