Beloved Footscray restaurateur Jimmy Wong has died.
Mr Wong, 75, passed away at 8am on Thursday surrounded by family.
Wife Marianne Wong said the proprietor of iconic Footscray dining institution Jim Wong Restaurant died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall earlier in the week.
Mrs Wong, who was married to Mr Wong for almost 50 years, said Mr Wong was “fit as a fiddle” and his passing came as a shock.
“He was healthier than a lot of people. He still made his dim sims three days a week.”
The couple lived above the restaurant so Mr Wong could be on hand at all hours throughout the week at the restaurant he had run for 57 years since 1959.
Mrs Wong said her husband fell down the stairs on Monday morning on his way to freshly making that day’s dim sims.
On Thursday his family bid their farewells and fulfilled his wish of seeing his organs donated.
“Jimmy was like that, he always wanted to help out in any way he could, he was that kind of person.”
Footscray ‘through and through’
Mrs Wong said the family is banding together to keep the restaurant going in honour of her husband’s memory.
“It’s a bit hard for us but we will get through and keep his name going for as long as we can.
“He lived for Footscray. We had a chance to go other places and he said no way. He was Footscray through and through his whole life.”
Footscray mayor Cameron McDonald said the council is deeply saddened at the news of Mr Wong’s passing.
“Jim was incredibly well-liked, respected and loved by all who knew him. He was truly a local institution. The dim sims at his restaurant are famous far and wide and his namesake restaurant is a delight to be in,” he said.
“Footscray, and the wider western community has lost a legend. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Jim’s wife and family at this sad time.”
Mr Wong leaves behind wife Marianne, three children and five grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at Footscray’s Whitten Oval from 1.30pm Thursday, May 12.
