Alfred Wong Obituary

ALFRED M.K. WONG September 12, 1930 - February 2, 2025 Alfred M.K. Wong was an exemplary family man and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of over 59 years, Laureen, son Peter Wong (daughter-in-law Yoona; grandsons Jackson and Daniel), and daughter Julie Wong (grandchildren Makayla Willis (Joseph Ramos) and Erik; great-grandchildren Killian and Juniper Ramos), and sister-in-law Catherine (wife of brother Walter). Wong was the youngest of seven children and is predeceased by parents Mew Kung Choy and Inn Wong, brothers Mun Charn (Mew Choy), Dickie (Lily), Mun Kin (Florence), Walter Mun Fo, and sisters Marion and Ruth Lee. Born in Honolulu, Wong graduated from Iolani School, where he played football under Father Bray. He earned a B.S. from Marquette University in 1953, where he was awarded multiple ROTC and academic awards, and a J.D. in 1964 from the University of California, SF Law (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law), where he was an associate editor on the Hastings Law Review and won the American Jurisprudence Award in federal taxation. Following graduation from college, Wong served in the United States Army with the Corp. of Engineers, helping to rebuild post-WWII Europe, based in Germany, France, and England. He returned to America to serve in the Counterintelligence Corp. and completed his military service as a Captain, before entering law school. Wong returned to Honolulu to build a distinguished 40-year legal career in private practice, eventually retiring as a senior partner from the law firm of Takushi, Wong, Lee & Yee. During that time, Wong became a towering figure in the Hawaii legal community. He served as the Chairman of the Hawaii Judicial Selection Committee, was on the Board of Bar Examiners for the State of Hawaii, served as Co-Counsel of the Honolulu Redevelopment Agency, and was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson Law School. He also served as President and Board member for the Friends of UH Richardson Law School, and was a life member of the American Law Institute. Wong also continued to support his law school alma mater by serving as the National Chair for UC Law SF's Annual Fund, joining the Board of Governors for the UC Law SF Alumni Association, and serving on the Board of Trustees for the UC Law SF Foundation. He was given the Distinguished Service Award by the school, and in 1997, Wong was named Alumnus of the Year by UC Law SF, and joined the school's "Wall of Fame" as the first Asian-American, non-professor to do so. In Hawaii, Wong's community service spanned beyond the legal arena. He was Chairman of the Board for Maryknoll Schools of Hawaii and led the capital campaign to build the Maryknoll Community Center, where the basketball court there is named in his honor. He also was President of the Niu Valley Community Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii, and was on the Executive Committee of Friends of Hawaii Charities, the host of the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA golf tournament. Wong also was a Founding Director of the Honolulu Club, and was President and Board member for Waialae Country Club. Beyond his incredible commitment to legal practice and service to community, Wong was a man of many interests. He loved sports, playing golf well into his nineties and attending all UH football and basketball games. And he was an expert gardener, carving narcissus bulbs for Chinese New Year, cultivating a dozen different fruit trees, and tending to his putting green-quality yard. Please join us on Saturday, March 15 at the Alfred M.K. Wong Court in the Maryknoll Community Center, 1526 Alexander Street (at Dole St.). Visitation begins at 9:00 am, with a Celebration of Life at 10:30 am, followed by fellowship and a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alfred M.K. and Laureen Hong ('56) Wong Scholarship to benefit students at Maryknoll School at (808) 952-7310 or www.maryknollschool.org/giving/donate-online. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC