Having been fortified by the last sacraments of the Church, Sir Thomas Hing Chuen Au, KHS passed into eternal life on August 8, 2009 at St. James Cottage Hospice.  He was born in Calcutta, India on October 6, 1936 to his parents Au Sun Yaw and Yip Sun Hoi and has one older sister, four younger sisters and two younger brothers.  He is survived by his loving wife Iris, four children, Dennis, Fr. Richard, Howard and Lana and two adoring grandchildren, Nathan and Veronica.  Family meant the world to him and he spent much of his retirement days conversing with his sisters about food and life in general.

Also, he cherished all the memories working at Star Shipping, which was his second home.  He fondly remembered all his coworkers, foremen, and supercargoes and looked forward to the annual Christmas dinner.  He could spend hours on end reminiscing about his days on the ship.  His children still remember him trying to educate them about the shipping industry.

He had a zest for cooking.  His famous Curry Chicken was fancied by many.  Sadly, this recipe will be buried with him.

Traveling was his passion in life.  Visiting Catholic shrines around the world comforted him during his five year battle with colon cancer.  Although he finally succumbed to his illness, he lived a very full life participating in numerous pilgrimages to Europe and South America.  He just returned from his trip to Rome and Lourdes in May.

Prayer service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church, 428 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC at 6:00 p.m. on August 21 and afterwards there will be time for viewing.  A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 22 at St. Francis Xavier Church.  The burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Gardens of Gethsemani, 15800 �" 32nd Ave, Surrey, BC.  In lieu of flowers, please donate towards a project in his memory at St. Patrick’s Parish, 22561 - 121st Avenue, Maple Ridge, V2X 3T5, 604.463.7148.