October 1, 1956 - December 27, 2021
We lost a kind and generous soul on Monday December 27, 2021 when Bing died suddenly at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.
Bing will be forever loved and missed by his wife Sharon Falls, sisters Yim Hing Chan (Hong Sun, deceased), Yim Fong Pang (Chai Bor, deceased), Yim Ping Sitt (Harry), brother Bing Fung Mark, sister-in-laws Sau May Mark, Rhonda Bott (Dale) and Jeannette Platt (Tom) and father-in-law Ellwood Falls. He was predeceased by his parents Wai Chiu and Fun Mark, and brother Bing Yim Mark and will be sadly missed by his adored nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends.
Bing was known for his broad smile, quirky sense of humor and very generous nature; he was always happy to help and would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. Bing always wanted to share the things he liked best with the people he loved and nothing made him happier than to share a wonderful meal with family and friends. He made it his mission to introduce people to ‘real’ Chinese food. He made an indelible mark on so many people - kids and animals were particularly drawn to him, recognizing his gentleness.
Born in Canton China, three-year-old Bing and his mother were trapped in Hong Kong on a visit and were unable to go home when the Chinese border closed. With no money and no place to stay, the situation was frightening and dangerous. They survived thanks to the compassion of a Kowloon farmer who caught them trying to steal a chicken. He took them in, offering work in exchange for food and shelter. Bing took that early kindness to heart and seemed determined to pass it forward throughout his life.
After almost four years on the chicken farm, they immigrated to Toronto to join Bing’s eldest sister and her family. Eventually, the rest of the family joined them. The brothers started a clothing manufacturing business on Spadina Ave., making women’s wear for many top designers and retailers including Alfred Sung, Linda Lundstrom, Club Monaco, Jones New York, Braemar, mainly in Toronto and Montreal. For a while, the company sold its own clothing lines. Bing was the salesman and it suited. The business was highly successful for many years until the industry changed and gradually moved offshore. The company adapted but it just wasn’t the same.
Bing and Sharon met when his first friend in Toronto married her cousin. They were together for over 38 years, married for 31, enjoying life living in Greektown. She introduced him to curling and travel for fun, both of which became passions. As a social butterfly, curling suited him perfectly with it’s meld of friendly competition and social time. He made so many special friends as a long-time member of the East York Curling Club and, in recent years, the Collingwood Curling Club.
Experiencing other cultures, particularly food and drink, were important aspects of travel to Bing but his favourite part was driving a stick-shift car up a winding twisting road to some beautiful
town in Europe with passengers hanging on for dear life. Retirement and the move to Collingwood five years ago freed up more time to travel and the bucket list grew....only to be delayed by the pandemic. During his recent illness, the goal of travel in the coming year helped to keep him positive and focussed on recovery.
Definitely taken too soon, he had so much more to do and share in this world. The memories of a loving and quirky man, full of life and laughter and always ready for fun will live on with those who knew him.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of a life lived well, if too short, will be held at a later date. If desired, donations in Bing’s memory may be made to the Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a Collingwood Food Bank.
Friends may visit Bing's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com