Caroline Hong
July 6, 1967 to March 23, 2024
Obituary
To view the Memorial Gathering for Caroline Hong on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m., please follow the link below:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Caroline Hong – our beloved wife, daughter, sister and friend to many. She died at her home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador in the care of her husband Perry and beloved dog Kracker, after a year-long illness with cancer.
Caroline was born in Hong Kong, and immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1969. At an early age, she began looking after her siblings while also assisting with the busy operation of the family business, Hong’s Take-Out in the east end of St. John’s. She attended Memorial University earning a BSc degree in Food Sciences and studied biochemistry. In 1990, she met her husband and life-partner, Perry Trimper, at a Taoist Tai Chi Class where they both would become instructors. The couple was married three years later in a three-day long multicultural celebration. In 1995, they moved to HV-GB establishing Labrador operations for the environmental consulting firm Jacques Whitford (later Stantec).
Once a city girl, Caroline embraced the adventure of northern life. Within a year, she was directing helicopters and multiple baseline studies from a Coast Guard icebreaker for the Voisey’s Bay Project. Over the next three decades, she completed numerous environmental, health and safety investigations throughout the region, usually under adverse field conditions.
Community service was extremely important for Caroline. She was a humble and hard-working volunteer on the organizing committee of Voisey’s Bay & Beyond (later ExpoLabrador); the Grenfell Health Board; responsible for air and ground transportation with the Labrador Winter Games; and served two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay where she was recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship. She was an early morning regular with ‘Kids Eat Smart’, the SPCA, and in many initiatives with her United Church ‘family’.
In the fall of 2022, Caroline was invited by 5 Wing Goose Bay to become their Honourary Colonel, a professional and personal recognition that she embraced immediately. Unfortunately, she withdrew from the process when she learned of her cancer diagnosis in April 2023. In tribute, the Wing created the Caroline Hong Spirit Award recognizing a member of their team dedicated to community service.
Caroline and Perry explored the globe, often experiencing these cultural travels with the Goodyears, Jenkins or Perros. Golf, piano, dancing, Coronation Street, and being with one of her German Shepherds over the years were all important ways to enjoy life. Entertaining at home with her legendary meals was a special passion, usually around banya – always with friends. Caroline recently asked for one more ‘Gathering’ a few weeks ago – her friends did not disappoint even on short notice.
Left to mourn are Perry Trimper, her husband and soulmate for over 30 years; her mother Lan Hong; her sister Julia Hong, her brother William (Minnie) Hong and their son Mason; June and Wendell Trimper, Scott and Jackie Trimper, Neil Trimper, nieces and nephews Megan (Russ) Soroka and their children Katerina and Maksim, Ryan Trimper, Alex (Leone Stanway) Trimper, and extended family elsewhere in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Germany. She was preceded by her father Yan Quon William Hong.
We would like to recognize and express our appreciation to the medical professionals at the Labrador Health Centre and the H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, in particular Dr. Gabe Woollam, Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald, Dr. Bahraim Shahi, Dr. Astrid Billfalk-Kelly, Dr. Erin Powell, Dr. Andrew Furey, Maggie Webb, Denise Gould, Melissa Butler, Kara White, Kyle Curlew, Emily Fox, Angie Lawrence and many others. Over the course of this journey, the support of our family, friends, neighbours and many others from near and far, provided remarkable energy that worked beautifully with Caroline’s positive outlook, determination and grace. To pay it forward, we would ask that any donations in memory of Caroline be directed towards breast cancer research, the H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre or Labrador’s Air Daffodil, in support of those who are still on this journey.
There will be a Memorial Gathering for Caroline at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road in St. John’s, at 2 pm on Saturday, 27 April.
You can tell we have good friends when you just pick up, where we left off
…even if it has been a while – Caroline Hong (April 2023)
Schedule
Memorial Gathering
2:00pm, Saturday April 27th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Perry,
Our sincere condolences in the passing of Caroline.
May you always cherish the memories you made together with Caroline and let them be a blessing in this time.
Jo and I want to extend our heartfelt condolences for the passing of this special lady. Each and every time we were fortunate to be in her company, she made both Jo and I feel welcomed and appreciated as did you Perry. Sending our love.
Perry
I am so sorry to hear of Caroline’s passing.
She is surely a loss to you , her family and the community.
Ken Dominie
To Perry and all of Caroline’s friends and family,
My sincere sympathy. I share your sorrows as you mourn for Caroline and celebrate her life.
Your friend,
Rex
As a former teacher at Macdonald Drive Elementary and a Wedgewood Park resident, I am not surprised to read of Caroline’s very successful career and interesting life. My sincere condolences to Caroline’s family, particularly William and Juliia whom I also remember fondly as students.
Perry and the Hong family, I am so sorry about Carolyn’s passing. We worked together at Jacques whitford, and she was organised, extremely competent, and always calm in the midst of project planning and execution. I am so sad that hers was a life cut short. She and Perry welcomed me into their home in goose bay many times.. a home full of hope, optimism and friendship. So sad.
I met Caroline at several different environmental conferences and she was a lovely and gracious lady. Her life partner Perry was also my minister for a time in the Department of Environment and they were obviously meant to be together. May her energy and light return to the universe.
My sincere condolences to Perry and all of Caroline’s family and friends. She was one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve ever worked with. God bless.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Caroline. I knew her as a child when I worked at Hongs Take Out. May she rest in peace. May you find comfort and peace. Carolanne Mahon ❤️
Sincere condolences to Perry and family on Caroline’s passing. I met you both years ago at Taoist Tai Chi classes. Caroline had a beautiful spirit and was so friendly and welcoming. May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time and May her soul rest in peace.
Perry – so sorry to read of your sad loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
My sincere condolances to Willli, the family and all that knew and loved Caroline. She definately led a full and amazing life where she clearly went out of her way to help others both individually and as part teams.
Sincerest condolences to Will, all the family and loved ones. I never had the pleasure of meeting Caroline but can tell by her obituary that she was an amazing lady who lived a beautiful life.
William and family,
Mom and I offer our condolences on the passing of Caroline. I remember meeting Caroline decades ago when your family lived here in Wedgewood Park. She lived an incredible life of which she can be proud. May your wonderful memories of her sustain you through your grief. Rest in peace, Caroline. You’ve certainly earned it!
To the family of Caroline Hong please accept our sincere condolences on her passing.Francis & Elizabeth Keating.