Snapshot: Birthright name is heard loud and clear
By Karie Angell Luc Columnist January 17, 2012 9:10PM
Check Wei “Eddie” Fong (left) removed his shoes for this photo. Did he want even footing with his wife, Chin Fung “Jeannie” Fong ? Fong's Northbrook opened in 1966. | Photo courtesy of the Fong family
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Updated: February 21, 2012 8:19AM
Check Wei “Eddie” Fong found religion two weeks before he died.
In April 2006, Fong, 77, who opened Northbrook’s first Chinese restaurant in 1966, was told he had three months to live.
“My dad fell into a deep depression,” said his son Dan Fong of Northbrook, who spoke these words while addressing a 2009 graduation at Northfield’s Christian Heritage Academy (CHA).
Dan and his wife Susanna’s son Sing was about to graduate eighth grade. Sing, 17, is now a Glenbrook North High School junior.
At that 2009 commencement podium, Dan Fong said: “He (Eddie) learned to take care of himself. He would be his own father, he would be his own God.”
As Danny (as he was known) was growing up, Eddie didn’t discuss his father.
In May 2006, Eddie received a greeting card from CHA students who wrote they prayed for his good health.
“His first smile since his diagnosis,” reported Dan, who watched his father Eddie open that card.
The podium buttressed Dan as he fought back tears, recalling how he and a Chinese-speaking pastor witnessed Eddie’s conversion to faith.
“I couldn’t believe it, this was truly a miracle. Two weeks later my dad passed away. It was the best two weeks I have ever had with my dad.
“He was a new man.”
In 1948, Eddie Fong wed Chin Fung “Jeannie” (Fong) in an arranged marriage.
Jeannie’s maiden name “Yee” offered Eddie a chance to come to America. But his expectant wife had to stay behind.
“The owner of the papers should have offered (them) to someone in the Yee clan,” said Dan Fong, in an interview this month.
“He took a liking to my dad even though my dad was from another village.”
A month long boat journey brought Eddie here in 1951. His bride bore his son back overseas.
Eddie “Yee” eventually repaid the $5,000 for the travel documents. He quickly repaid friends money he borrowed to open Fong’s restaurant on Northbrook’s Waukegan Road.
Eddie started the American Dream by earning 10 cents for each shirt he ironed.
“My dad took a chance by leaving the secure job at the laundromat,” said Dan. “He didn’t speak English, his friends were his only resources.”
Eight years later, Eddie returned to Hong Kong to bring Jeannie here. But his son, with no papers, remained behind, raised by his grandmother.
Eddie and Jeannie performed a photo opportunity wedding ceremony in formalwear to prove they were legally married.
Eddie “Yee” was identified in a circa 1966 Northbrook Star newspaper caption as owner of his namesake Fong’s restaurant. Danny, then four, is photographed with his dad.
It wasn’t until 1975 when firstborn son, Chun Yui “Philip” Fong arrived to U.S. soil. In his early 20s, Philip met his only sibling Danny in person for the first time.
Danny, American born, attended Northbrook schools.
“There was a program (circa 1970, which) allowed my parents to regain their legal names,” said Dan, once the little boy riding a tricycle near Fong’s Northbrook storefront.
“It was a very slow process. My name was changed in the seventh grade (school year 1974-75) from Danny Yee to Danny Fong.”
Dan described how a Northbrook Junior High School loudspeaker announced the sudden news while he sat in class.
The voice said: “Danny Yee is no longer Danny Yee — he is Danny Fong.”
And just like that, he had his birthright name.
As I listened to this stunning story inside a transparent glass meeting room, where his wife described emotional photos, I asked Dan where Danny Yee is.
“I’m Danny Fong.”
He then paused.
“Where’s Danny Yee?” he asked.
“You know what I am, I’m Danny,” he said, his voice speeding up.
“To Northbrook, I’m Danny Yee or Fong. When I think of Danny Yee, I think of Crestwood School.”
Across from the Fong’s address is the former Crestwood School, now senior living apartments.
“Danny is my childhood.”
But what about Philip — what was that like meeting your 10-years-older brother for the first time when you’re a teen?
“Philip, he was the heir apparent to the restaurant and me, the American kid, I was supposed to go to college.”
Dan attended Chicago’s DePaul University and the University of Illinois dental school.
”It was just the way it was.”
The now retired Philip, a Wheeling resident, closed Fong’s restaurant Dec. 11. He and his wife Amy’s two grown children have their own careers — not restaurateurs.
“What I really respect about Philip is that there was never any resentment. He never resented being left behind, he never resented having to take over the business, that he never had a career choice.”
Yes, an honest restaurant living, but couldn’t Philip have told Eddie no?
“It would have been dishonoring to the family because in Chinese culture, the oldest son takes over.”
Looking at Dan Fong, who will be 50 this month, my heart breaks for the Danny in him riding a red tricycle, and for his big brother Philip, both raised with love — but worlds apart.
View Dan Fong’s commencement speech at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7As4rCFxwdw&feature=youtu.be
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