Gilbert Hugh Wong
June 23, 1960 to August 26, 2025
Obituary
Gilbert Wong passed peacefully, at home, at the age of 65 on August 26, 2025. The fourth of six children, Gilbert was born June 23, 1960 and grew up in Botwood, NL. He went to Memorial University, where he studied Geology and met Debbie. When Gilbert and Debbie decided to start a family, he went back to university and obtained a degree in Computer Science.
Gilbert will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Debbie Boland-Wong, and two daughters, Melissa and Olivia. He was a loving husband and proud dad. His daughters take comfort in knowing that their childhood dog, Bess, is there to greet him. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, inquisitive nature, willingness to lend a hand, and love of books, cooking and chess.
Gilbert leaves his extended family members: Evan, Melissa’s fiancé, and Evan’s parents, Herb and Rose. He leaves Olivia’s dog, Juniper, who instinctively on every visit, snuggled with Gilbert.
Gilbert will be remembered and missed by his sisters and brother: Mayling (James, Micheal and Laura), Edgar (Maria, Adrienne, Daniel and Ean), Kathleen and Donna (Quinn and Faye). Remembered by his uncle, Hui Qiu Chen, and his cousins, Phillip (Kim), Winnie (Albert), Yun Yu and his sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Carol, Philip, Chris, Terry and their families.
Gilbert is now reunited with his parents, Mr. Young Wong (d.1975) and Mrs. Boey Chee Wong (d.2020), and his older sister, Betty Wong (d.2023). Predeceased by his parents-in-law, Teresa Boland (d.1980) and Philip Boland (d.2015).
Gilbert was blessed with family and friends. The family also wishes to acknowledge the phone calls and support Gilbert received. This appreciation is extended to former coworkers, three great neighbours, Elaine, Allie and Ben, and a large circle of family and friends, across NL, Canada and USA. A very special mention to longtime friend Gary Sullivan, who went above and beyond for Gilbert and his family. Thank you.
A special thanks to all those who provided medical care and professional supports to Gilbert, including: Dr. Petra Joller, Dr. Kyna Squarey, Bayshore’s staff and PSW workers, Bishop Garden’s Neighbourhood Adult Day Program staff, Dementia Care Centre’s staff, social workers Amy Green and Jennie Breen, Geriatrics staff, Community Health RN Lori Metcalfe, Nav-CARE’s Amy Way, Community Paramedicine staff, RNC, Carnell’s Funeral Home, GoBus drivers and Parkinson Society NL’s director Derek Staubitzer.
Honouring Gilbert’s wishes, cremation has occurred. In lieu of a public visitation or funeral, there will be a private family committal service at a later date.
Gilbert’s struggle with Parkinson’s started at the age of 50, followed by Lewy Body Dementia at 60. While flowers are appreciated, as an expression of remembrance and sympathy, please consider making a donation in Gilbert’s memory to Parkinson Society NL, Alzheimer Society of NL or to a local food bank.
A void exists in our family, but Gilbert’s spirit today, and all our tomorrows, lives on in our hearts.
I’m sad to hear of Gilbert’s passing. We studied geology together at MUN years ago, and I’ll always remember his humour and good natured ribbing we traded with one another. My condolences to his family and friends.
I’m very sorry to learn of Gilbert’s passing. My condolences to his family. I worked with Gilbert at NRC for many years. He was a gentleman, and endlessly generous with his time and support.
Melissa, my condolences to you and your family. My heart is breaking for you. Hugs
I was deeply saddened to hear of Gilbert’s passing. I will always remember his kindness and the warmth he shared with those around him. At the workplace, he was always generous with his help and unfailingly kind to colleagues, making a positive difference every day. Each year, during the NRC Christmas parties and other events, he gave his time and energy so generously, helping to create a welcoming and joyful atmosphere for everyone. His caring spirit and dedication will not be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Debbie, Melissa, Olivia, please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss of Gilbert.
It has been a difficult time over the past 15 years.
May Gilbert rest in peace. 🙏
Gordon, Chris and Florence
Debbie, Melissa and Olivia
I am saddened to hear of Gilbert’s passing. My sincere condolences to your whole family. I worked with Gilbert for many years in the NRC/IOT computer group. He was a good friend and I’ll always remember our daily coffee break walks filled with interesting and humorous conversation.
Debbie, My Thoughts and Prayers to you ,Melissa and Olivia at this sad time! Gilbert is now at Peace ! GOD BLESS!
I’m so sorry to hear of Gilbert’s passing and condolences to his family. I knew Gilbert back in his geologist days (mid 1980s) when he was a student and a student research assistant. He was smart, funny, and a hard worker. He certainly wasn’t shy!
Debbie,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your husband.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
My deepest sympathy to you and your whole family.
He is now at peace with no more pain or suffering.
Thinking of you. God bless you.
Sending heartfelt condolences to Gilbert’s family, to Mayling, Edgar and the Wong family. I remember Gilbert well as a young boy in Botwood. RIP with your parents and Betty.
Debbie and family
So very sorry to read of Gilbert’s passing.May your many memories get you through your difficult days ahead. May he Rest in Peace.
Randy & Margie Sears
Debbie
My sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved Gilbert. I remember well our many conversations about Parkinson’s disease and its devastating effects on our loved ones.. I pray you are able to take comfort in the loving care you provided to your husband – always making him your priority. May he now rest in peace.
Dear Debbie,
I was so sorry to hear of your husband passing..
May God bless you and yours
CAROL HIGDON
Dear Donna,
Although it has been many years since we worked together, I wanted to send you my sympathy on the loss of your brother.
Sincerely,
Violet Kerr
To the Wong family,
I was so sorry to hear of Gilbert‘s passing. I didn’t realize that he had been struggling with major health issues for several years. My heart goes out to Gilbert and his family for the difficulties and struggles he and all of you have faced.
Condolences to the family. Gilbert and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deirdre Rhora and all of the Twomey family
Debbie & Family, I am so sorry to hear of Gilbert’s passing. He was a very kind and helpful person with me when I worked at NRC. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Dear Melissa, Debbie, Olivia and family
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Although we’d never met, through Melissa I know your dad and husband was a kind soul. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Dear Melissa & Family, hearing of your beloved father’s passing & knowing how close you were to him was heartbreaking. I know however, that you, your mother & sister have a lifetime of good memories of your father to sustain you during this sorrowful time. You are in my thoughts constantly at this time & I am wishing you all peace & strength. You’re like a niece to me & so you already know if you need anything you can reach out to me.
Love always,
Aunt Evelyn
May your father’s memory be a blessing to you all.
Debbie and all family ,
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal ,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal …
So very sorry for ur loss ,
Take care and may God bless you and yours at this most difficult time …
Love you and truly miss you XO
RIP – Gilbert 🙏
Sincerely with love ❣️
Brenda , Judith , Patsy , Sharon and and George
Glad to have met you
Tamost difficult timev
Olivia,, we are all so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. We know how much he meant to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Debbie, Bob and I are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Debbie & Bob
Babb Manor
Debbie. & Olivia
Our Deepest and Sincere Condolences to you and your whole family, our Prayers and Thoughts are with you all. ❤🙏
Rest in Peace my Friend. Gilbert
Sincere condolences to the Wong family, our friends and neighbours for many years. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Gilbert’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Gilberts contribution to the Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Organization made a significant difference reaching our goal.
My thoughts are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
To Kathleen & the Wong Family. So sorry to hear about Gilbert’s passing. Cherish your beautiful memories of your loved one.
Colleen
Botwood,
Gilbert and I went through school together – from Grade 1 to high school and on to MUN. My condolences to Debbie, Olivia, Melissa and the Wong family for your loss. Rest in peace, Gilbert.
My sincere sympathies to Debbie, Olivia, Melissa, and the Wong family. I worked with Gilbert many years ago at MUN and have fond memories of him. Gilbert was kind, smart, easy going, and sure did love a game of chess. I can hardly remember a day when there wasn’t a game of ‘speed chess’ taking place in the kitchenette during lunch hour. Godspeed Gilbert.
Our condolences on your lost. Our thoughts go out to you at this difficult time.
Debbie, Olivia, Melissa, the Wong Family, and to all those who have been blessed and touched by Gilbert’s presence our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you. Gilbert has left a large void in his passing and we shall miss him but the space in our hearts will be filled because he has left us an even larger lasting legacy through his actions and the passions of his life, his family being his number one. We are certain that Bess greeted Gilbert and are joyfully reunited along with those Gilbert loved and who dearly loved him.
Thoughts and Prayers
Alice and Philip Boland
Debbie and the Wong family,
I went to school with Gilbert. He was such a nice person and had a sence of humor for sure. His family’s store made the best TWIRLEY’S ever!!! Please accept my sincere condolence on Gilbert’s passing.. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this very difficult time.
Debbie and family.
Marion and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you on the passing of Gilbert. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
David and Marion Cook.
So sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Paul Morris
To Debbie an all the Wong family.,
We are so sorry for your loss. Gilbert we a wonderful person. It was a pleasure knowing him. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Wally and Maria Gosse
Botwood
Condolences to the Wong family on the passing of Gilbert .We knew Gilbert and family all our life attending school and of course going to Wongs store here in Botwood for the best twirly’s custard cone (soft serve)we called them back then!
Michele & Ken Newhook
Botwood
As childhood friends, and classmates Gilbert and I shared some special times. We had lively discussions in school, participated in Reach For The Top on CBC television, hauled cases of Pop Shop drinks in University. To take home to his mom. He was a nice guy. We still spoke from time to time as we were older as I worked in Geological Exploration so sometimes I’d call him for information. We did on occasion call each other for personal reasons such as the death of his mom, and were always very comfortable chatting about our families. This saddens me to hear that he has passed and I send my condolences to his wife, children, other family and friends.
Beatrice (Hancock) Baker
Botwood
Mayling,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing
of your brother, Gilbert.
John and Sharon Walsh
Debbie , Olivia , and Melissa we are so sorry for your loss .Debbie we wanted to acknowledge how hard you worked to keep Gilbert at home even as his illness made that harder and harder .We are certain that Gilbert felt the love and support of his family , friends , and those who helped with his care .
To Debbie and the Wong family
I’m very saddened to hear of Gilbert’s passing. He was a classmate of mine, he always a very nice, kind person who showed respect to all of his classmates.
Sending sincere condolences
Linda Stockley O’Reilly
Melissa and family, our heartfelt sympathies go to you at this sad time. We never got to meet your father, Melissa, but we see what a wonderful person you are and know that he played an important role in the loving, affectionate, accomplished woman you are. We understand that it has been a difficult period of years for all of you, but may his memory always be a blessing to you and your family.
Debbie, Melissa and Olivia,
I was quite saddened to hear of Gilbert’s passing. Always a gentleman, I very much enjoyed the occasions when we met. One could not help but to be impressed by his gentle manner, his humor and curiosity.
My sincere condolences to you and the entire family.
Debbie and family. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Gilbert. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Debbie, Melissa, Olivia and family, please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of Gilbert. I knew Gilbert at MUN and recall fondly his smile and sense of humour. May he rest in peace and may you find comfort in your memories.