David H. Dong

David Dong, 81 of Cranford NJ, passed away on Tuesday November 5, 2013. He was born on August 27, 1932 in Boston MA, the son of the late Frank and Susan Dong. As a boy, he helped out in his parents' laundry and he enjoyed playing baseball, especially with his brother James. He received his education at Boston English High School and graduated from Boston University with a degree in History. He served in the US Army from 1956 - 1958 as an equipment specialist in the Army Signal Corps and then served as a reservist until 1962. He married Jane Eng in 1958 and they first resided in Dorchester, MA. They later moved to Framingham MA where they raised their three children, Claudia, Elliot and Walter. David worked over the years at corporations such as Sylvania, Honeywell and Stone & Webster, as a systems analyst, technical writer and project manager. He also helped out on weekends at his father's restaurant, China City, in Brookline MA. The family moved to Edison NJ where they lived for 18 years and then he and Jane eventually moved to Cranford NJ. David was known for his great devotion to the Boston Red Sox, which he passed on to his children. His favorite baseball players were Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky, and he was thrilled when the Red Sox finally became World Series Champions in 2004, and again in 2007. He enjoyed reading the New York Times and fiction novels, fixing things around the house, cooking Chinese food and spending time with his family. He was patient, kind, and generous and he possessed a quiet strength of character. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed. David was predeceased by Jane, his beloved wife of 48 years, son-in-law Wayne Patterson and brother Edward Dong. He is survived by his children Claudia and her daughters Laura and Christine Patterson of Edison NJ, Elliot Dong of Westford MA, and Walter and Yi Ling Dong and their son Brian of New York, NY. Also surviving are his brothers James Dong and his wife Daisy of Brookline MA, Stephen Dong and his wife Christina of Chapel Hill NC, and nephews and nieces. Visitation and Life Celebration will be held on Friday November 8, 2013 from 7 - 9 PM at Gray Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Avenue, Cranford NJ. Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 9, 2013 at 10 AM, followed by burial with military honors at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield NJ. Go to grayfuneralhomes.com to offer on-line condolences.