Hong Zheng "Jim" Li

With broken hearts and great sadness, we announce the passing of Hong Zheng “Jim” Li on July 15, 2021, at St. Anthony's Hospital, Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, at the age of 67.

Jim was born on July 20, 1953, in Taishan, Guangdong, China, into a loving family with four brothers and two younger sisters. Jim and his family immigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada on May 28, 2005. He worked for Wong’s Cafe in Canora, Saskatchewan for three years. In 2008, Jim and his family purchased the Golden Bowl Restaurant in Langenburg, Saskatchewan where he resided, worked, and grew his family.

Jim was a person who was diversely well-educated, loved Chinese literature of all kinds and had a wonderful poetic style of Chinese writing. He enjoyed his daily life and had a passion for it. He was an honest and candid man who never sought fame or fortune. He did not take advantage of anything or anyone and had an optimistic attitude towards life that radiated from him. Jim was well dressed and punctual. If he needed to attend an event or an appointment, he would plan to arrive extra early to respect other people’s time. He would arrive with an eager attitude to complete the task at hand. Jim was a gentle and positive person who had a big smile. Jim had a smaller stature but spoke with a loud, cheerful voice that no one could miss. He enjoyed teasing his family, friends and customers using his keen sense of humour. Jim had a special talent for traditional Chinese brushstroke calligraphy and everyday Chinese handwriting. Because of this talent, he was often called upon by friends and family to create posters, Chinese New Year couplets, invitations for special events and occasions, letters, etc. when he was in China before the computer.  He loved travelling with family.  Some of Jim’s treasured memories include travelling to different parts of Canada, China, the United States and Cuba. He had been to Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park, Madge Lake, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sea World and Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, Texas, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hunan, just to name a few places he enjoyed. He also loved going fishing, biking, playing pool, ping pong, and running. Before covid, he had been running around town every single morning for three years.

Jim spent his days working at the Golden Bowl Restaurant with his family, and he was known as the nice “GongGong” (grandpa in our hometown Chinese dialect), who spent as much time as he could to take care of three grandchildren. People saw him biking, pulling the wagon, swimming, and taking the kids to the parks in town. He was proud that his son and daughter, and their families are doing well in their lives.

Jim lived his life with passion. He enjoyed life, peacefully, leaving many beautiful memories. He did not have any regrets in life. His remaining family live to celebrate his life and keep him in their memory. Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife Ai Jin Li. They celebrated 38 years of marriage this April. They were blessed with two beautiful children; his son, Run Sheng (Matthew) Li, daughter-in-law Feng Ai (Jenny) Lei; grandson, William Li; and granddaughter, Victoria Li; his daughter, Wan Qin (Kim) Li; son-in-law Bin Zhang (in China, due to COVID) and granddaughter Xin Yi (Cassidy) Zhang. He is also survived by his brothers in China Hong An Li, Hong Sheng Li, Hong Jun Li and his younger sisters Hong Huang (Myra) Li of Kelliher, Saskatchewan and Hong Ai (Betty) Li of Canora; and a large extended circle of family and friends.

Jim will be remembered for his kindness, his humour, and his lovely smile.

Special thanks to our family doctor, Dr. Mandi Nel, all nurses and caregivers at the St. Anthony’s Hospital, palliative care (especially home care nurse, Chantalle den Brok), Sunrise Health Region: Yorkton Regional Health Centre (Yorkton Hospital), Langenburg Pharmasave and all the warmest and thoughtful pharmacists and staff, all the doctors and nurses who helped to take care of my dad before his last journey, and all the family and friends who have been helping out with funeral arrangements, making it so much easier on our family!

A service to celebrate and remember Jim was held at the Langenburg Evangelical Fellowship, Langenburg, Saskatchewan, on Wednesday, July 21st at 10 a.m. Jim was laid to rest nearby his mom and brother-in-law at the South Cemetery, Moosomin, Saskatchewan.

If family and friends wish, donations in memory of Hong Zheng (Jim) Li may be made to St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 280, Esterhazy, Saskatchewan S0A 0X0.