Dr Francis Chung Wai Ho lived his life by these words. For 56 years, he practiced as a family physician in Vancouver, at his iconic office on Main and 16th, and at both Saint Paul’s and Mount St Joseph Hospitals. His many patients can attest to his dedication, skill and empathy. In addition to the care of his patients, he was passionate about his community, volunteering at every level. He participated in, directed and hosted many health forums, both in person and through radio and television, educating audiences beyond his patients.
Emigrating from Hong Kong penniless, knowing no one, he worked several jobs to finance his own undergraduate studies and eventually medicine. As a graduate of UBC Medicine, he returned to teach medical students and Family Practice residents for over 30 years and was bestowed the honour of Clinical Professor Emeritus. Francis was an exceptional role model to his students and his peers and was recognized as Chief of Staff at Mount St Joseph Hospital, receiving the Primus Inter Pares award from the Vancouver Medical Association, amongst many others. He was proud to deliver the 75th Osler Lecture of the Vancouver Medical Association and humbly accepted the Dr. Wallace Wilson Leadership Award from the UBC Alumni Association.
He inspired many to generously donate to the charities and causes he embraced, ranging from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, St Francis Xavier Parish, several hospital foundations, women’s and mental health, medical education, BC Children’s Hospital and latterly, the Canadian Liver Foundation. As Chairman of the Mount St Joseph Hospital Foundation, he set new standards for fundraising culminating in multiple projects including a new Children’s Wing.
Despite all of his accomplishments, he was most proud of his three sons, Chris, Stephen and Pius. He helped shape them to become the men they are, always present at any activity or endeavour, celebrating achievements and successes and supporting through challenging times. Along their different paths, he was there, guiding and inspiring each to do their best, to grow and to experience new adventures. He had an unwavering commitment to family and was a doting grandfather. Francis passed away peacefully in his home on February 5, 2021 and leaves to mourn his passing, his sisters Maria (Alex) and Jennie and their families. He is survived by his sons, Chris (Lana), Stephen (Sarah) and Pius (Jennifer) and grandchildren, Courtney, Matthew, Spencer, Marysa, Trevor, Ryan, Kelly and Julianna. He is predeceased by his wife, Mary (2019) and his grandson, Mitchell (2008). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private ceremony of burial will take place. A video of tribute to Francis, including his funeral service, will be available for viewing after Sunday, February 21st at www.RememberingDrFrancisHo.ca
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canadian Liver Foundation, Vancouver Chapter, www.liver.ca/inmemoryofdrfho
“我們靠獲得之物維持生計，但靠奉獻之物創造人生 (We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give) 。”
--邱吉爾 (Winston Churchill)
何仲偉醫生的人生座右銘大抵可以上述名句概括。他在温哥華緬街夾十六街那間具標誌性的診所行醫五十六年，其間同時亦服務聖保祿(St Paul)和聖若瑟(Mount St Joseph Hospital)醫院。執業超過半個世紀，何醫生除了是無數病人心目中的模範家庭醫生外，他還是一個關心社區，默默付出時間和心血去貢獻社會的有心人。無論是籌辦健康講座，主持電台及電視節目解答市民的醫學疑難，以至身體力行參與大型慈善籌款活動，在在都顯示出他的善心和魄力。
回顧當年他身無分文從香港移民加拿大，抵埗初期對周遭一無所知，在兼職多份工作的艱辛情況下完成大學課程，繼而進入醫學院進修，私人執業的同時還兼顧回校擔任教學工作超過三十年，獲授予臨床名譽教授榮譽。何醫生的傑出成就誠為學生及友儕間的典範，從他先後被聖若瑟醫院（Mount St Joseph Hospital）推舉為院內最傑出員工，繼而獲温哥華醫學協會頒發崇高的 Primus Inter Pares獎，可見他在其專業界別中廣受推崇與認同。何醫生亦以獲邀擔任溫哥華醫學會舉辦的第七十五屆奧斯勒講座(Osler Lecture) 嘉賓而深感榮幸和自豪，並懷着謙卑的心欣然接受卑詩大學校友會 (UBC Alumni Association) 頒發的華萊士威爾遜博士領導獎 (Dr Wallace Wilson Leadership Award) 。
何醫生一直堅持透過自身的無私付出，去啟發他人一起行動，實行以生命影響生命。許多人因而願意慷慨解囊，為慈善踴躍捐款，受惠機構包括溫哥華羅馬天主教大主教管區(Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver)、聖芳濟堂(St Francis Xavier)、多家醫院基金會、婦女和心理健康等醫學教育、卑詩兒童醫院(BC Children’s Hospital)，以及後來的加拿大肝臟基金會(Canadian Liver Foundation)。他在擔任聖若瑟醫院基金會（Mount St. Joseph Hospital Foundation）主席期間，為籌款制定了新的標準，從而開展了多個項目，當中包括兒童新翼大樓。
儘管他取得了許多有目共睹的個人成就，何醫生一生最引以為傲的必定是培育了三名優秀的兒子嘉華、嘉輝和嘉賢，以身作則讓他們亦成為社會楝樑。無論工作有多繁忙，他都經常參加孩子的學校活動和體育比賽，跟他們慶祝勝利的同時，亦一起面對失敗承受挫折。在孩子不同的成長道路上，他總是引導和啟發他們要盡力而為，勉勵他們要認真體驗生命與敢於冒險。他對家庭有着堅定的承諾，並且是一個溺愛孫兒的慈祥祖父。
何仲偉醫生於二零二一年二月五日於家中安然辭世，享年八十九歲。由於疫情關係，葬禮將以私人形式進行。懇辭奠儀及花圈，請捐款至加拿大肝臟基金會溫哥華分會（https://www.liver.ca/inmemoryofdrho），延續何醫生為社會大眾無私付出的精神。
