Xiao Ming (1914)
Siu Ming (English: Siu Ming, born 1914 – died September 15, 1986)[1], also known as Siu Sik-ming[2], was a native of Shipai Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, and a Hong Kong funeral home entrepreneur, known as the "Funeral King of Hong Kong".
Biography
His grandfather was the first to open the Fook Sau Longevity Store (a coffin shop) in Hong Kong, and his father ran a branch. In 1932, after his father passed away, he succeeded him as manager of the Fook Sau branch. In 1950, he acquired the Hong Kong Funeral Home[3] and built a new building in 1966[4]. In 1959, he co-founded the Kowloon Funeral Parlour with partners[5]. In 1970, he acquired the Universal Funeral Parlour[3], thereby monopolizing the funeral business in Hong Kong. In 1971, he rented the 5th floor of the Universal Funeral Parlour to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to operate a non-profit funeral home[6]. Siu also served as president of the Bell Charity Society and a director of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
On February 1, 1979, at 4:45 p.m.[7], Siu Ming was abducted by two men after leaving the Kowloon Funeral Parlour. Half an hour later, the police discovered the target vehicle on Tsuen Kam Highway[7], but the suspects escaped. Siu was rescued, and the mastermind was arrested in North Point at 8 p.m. The mastermind turned out to be Siu’s younger brother, Siu Ping-yiu[7], allegedly attempting to extort money. On July 25 of the same year, the High Court jury acquitted Siu Ping-yiu by a 5-2 vote[7], and he was released. Siu Ming was deeply shocked to learn his own brother was behind the plot[3].
In 1986, Siu Ming traveled to San Francisco, USA, for surgery due to an aortic aneurysm[3], but the operation failed. He died shortly after from heart disease[1], at the age of 72.
Family
- Tsang Fung-kwan – wife of Siu Ming[2]
- Siu Pak-shing – eldest son, former son-in-law of Stanley Ho’s first wife, Lai Wan-wah (divorced Ho Chiu-ying in 1981). He died in 2011.
- Siu Chi-shing – second son.
- Siu King-shing – third son.
- Siu Lan-hing – eldest daughter.
- Siu Chi-hing – second daughter.
- Siu Wai-hing – third daughter.
Institutions Named After Him
- Siu Ming Catholic Secondary School – a girls’ school in Kwai Chung, New Territories, funded by his donations.
- "Siu Ming Science Museum" – located within Ng Yuk Secondary School (Catholic, Salesian) in Kwai Chung.
- Po Leung Kuk Siu Ming Memorial Care Home
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://mmis.hkpl.gov.hk/c/portal/cover?c=QF757YsWv59H%2FuxqfBwEJDQJxxDJhbyu
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Obituary of Siu Sik-ming. Wah Kiu Yat Po, Page 1 of Section 2. September 21, 1986.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_columnists_detail.php?columnists=oldhkphotos&id=30291
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD%E6%98%8E_(1914%E5%B9%B4)#cite_ref-4
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD%E6%98%8E_(1914%E5%B9%B4)#cite_ref-5
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD%E6%98%8E_(1914%E5%B9%B4)#cite_ref-6
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The trial of Xiao Ming's kidnapping case was concluded. Xiao Bingyao was acquitted and released. The detained private car was also returned