Thomas Fung facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Fung
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Fung in 2012
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| Born | 1950/1951 (age 74–75) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
Thomas Fung Wing-fat (simplified Chinese: 冯永发; traditional Chinese: 馮永發; born November 17, 1950) is a Canadian businessman and a person who gives a lot to charity. He was born in Hong Kong.
He is the oldest son of Fung King Hey, who started a big company called Sun Hung Kai Financial in Hong Kong. Thomas Fung also started his own company, the Fairchild Group. This company owns many things, like shopping malls with an Asian theme and TV and radio stations that broadcast in Chinese. Time Magazine in Canada said he was one of the most important people in the country. In 2011, he got a special award from the University of British Columbia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thomas Fung grew up mostly in Hong Kong. He moved to Canada in 1967 when he was a teenager. He finished high school at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver.
When he was in his twenties, he took baking classes in Japan. Later, he studied filmmaking at New York University. This was while he was training at a company called Merrill Lynch in New York City. After that, he went back to Hong Kong for ten years. There, he started a company that made films, an advertising company, and a public relations company. He also worked for his father's company, Sun Hung Kai & Co..
Building Businesses in Canada
In 1984, Thomas Fung moved to Vancouver, Canada. He decided to build his businesses there. His brother, Tony, stayed in Hong Kong to continue their family's work.
Thomas Fung created Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, British Columbia. This was North America's first and largest shopping and entertainment place with an Asian theme. In 2008, he also started Sea Land Air Flight Centre. This is a special school that teaches people to become pilots for both commercial airlines and private planes.
His company, the Fairchild Group, owns and runs two national TV stations in Canada. It also has five radio stations that play music and news from different cultures. The group also owns a large Chinese language magazine and an online shopping company.
Helping the Community
Besides his business work, Thomas Fung gives a lot of support to many non-profit groups. He helps organizations like the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, which plays classical music. He also supports the Royal Conservatory of Music, Children's Hospital, United Way, and World Vision. These groups help people in need and support arts and education.
Awards and Recognition
The Canadian government asked Mr. Fung to be a special advisor for Canada's global trade plans. Business in Vancouver Magazine named Thomas Fung as one of the top 10 business people of the decade. Vancouver Magazine also listed him as one of the "Power 50" for five years in a row. The Vancouver Board of Trade gave him the "Spirit of Vancouver Leadership Award" for his leadership.
Family Life
Thomas Fung is married to Amy Chan. They have one son named Joseph, who was born in 1982. Joseph works in Hong Kong.
His brother, Tony Fung Wing Cheung, is the Chairman of Yu Ming Property Management Limited. He also used to be the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Thomas Fung's sister, Rita Fung, was married to David Ho, who started an airline called Harmony Airways.
See also
- Chinese Canadians in British Columbia
