Hundreds of mourners have turned out to pay their final respects to Footscray restaurant icon Jimmy Wong.
Widely regarded as Melbourne’s “king of dim sims”, Mr Wong, 75, died last week following a brain haemorrhage sustained in a fall down the stairs of his popular Barkly Street establishment Jim Wong Restaurant.
A funeral held at Whitten Oval on Thursday afternoon heard tributes to a “beautiful” man who had spent most of his life devoted to his family and Footscray.
The celebrant paid tribute to one of Footscray’s favourite sons, noting he touched people from all walks of life.
“Jimmy was a Footscray man through and through. He loved it here and he never wanted to leave.”
An obituary delivered by his teenage grand-daughters Stephanie and Alexandra told of a loving family man who worked throughout the week to make the best life he could for his wife Marianne and three children.
Stephanie told the story of Jimmy’s arrival in Melbourne as a young boy searching for a new life.
He learnt his craft from an uncle in Ascot Vale and soon opened his own restaurant at the age of 18.
“No-one thought he could do it but he set out to prove them all wrong.”
Stephanie said the restaurant was an instant success and busy from open to close.
Love at first sight
In 1965 it was “love at first sight” with his beautiful wife-to-be Marianne and they were married within six months.
Jimmy remained devoted to his family, restaurant and three other big loves – the Bulldogs, horse racing and late-night card games.
Son-in-law Dr David Louey spoke of having a beloved father back in his life after his own father died when David was only nine.
“When Jimmy welcomed me into the family it felt so nice to have a father again, like a weight off the shoulders.
“I became increasingly aware of the depths of this man’s character. The Wong family went through some difficult times that would have crushed a lesser man. But they made it through. The birth of each of his five grandchildren brought a special smile to his face.”
Dr Louey also paid special tribute to his mother-in-law.
“Behind every Jimmy there is a Marianne.”
A video presentation of photos tracing Mr Wong’s life was accompanied by Frank Sinatra’s My Way and the service of the passionate Western Bulldogs supporter concluded with the club song Sons of the West.
