Gregory Mun Biu Tong's Obituary
Gregory Mun Biu Tong passed peacefully in his sleep on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi to Koon Ching and Violet Tong, owners of Tong’s Sundries on Maunakea Street, and part of a large, extended family, headed by his maternal grandfather, Young Anin, founder of Oʻahu Market. Greg is a ’49 Roosevelt High School graduate and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University. He married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Wong, and served in the Army at Schofield Barracks and Fort DeRussy. He began working for Wimberly & Cook, Architects, and rose to founding partner and chairman of Wimberly, Whisenand, Allison, Tong & Goo, an internationally acclaimed resort architectural firm. He is the last of the founding partners of this firm, now known as WATG. Greg suffered a mild stroke at the age of 62, causing an early retirement, but which gave him the time to pursue his other passions including traveling the world, being a co-owner of a cattle ranch in Australia, and fishing in Kona, Christmas Island, Baja and Alaska. He is survived by a son, Jeffrey Tong, a daughter, Debra Tong (Mark Mir), four grandchildren, Alexander Mir and Ryan, Rianne, and Brandon Tong, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The family is thankful to Dr. Eric Yee and the many caregivers of Hiʻolani at Kahala Nui for their tireless vigilance, patience and compassionate care of Greg. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date
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