Obituary of Chong Se Kim

Chong Se Kim was born on October 29, 1924 in Yongbyon, North Korea. He lived with his family, including his older sister, Soonhee and younger brother Chong Woon. In 1950, the Korean War broke out and the family fled to the south, eventually taking refuge in Seoul. He married Soon Won Kim in 1959. He had three children, Hyung Jin, Kimin, and Kiho. He and his wife made the extreme sacrifice to move to Toronto on December 23, 1974 with the hope of a better future for their children. They soon became the owners and operators of Kim’s Variety at 809 Gerrard Street East from 1975 - 1994 when they retired.Chong Se was an avid golfer. He enjoyed karaoke, family dinners, and the occasional Johnnie Walker Black.In 2013, he began living in a long term care home due to physical limitations caused by a previous stroke and the onset of dementia. He was always very accepting of his situation and never complained. His wife visited him on weekdays for the seven years that he lived in long term care, with his son and daughter-in-law visiting on Sundays, along with visits from other family members including the grandchildren, when they were able to go.In early March, when Covid 19 became a serious concern, the family was no longer allowed to visit. He was well taken care of however the isolation and lack of his wife’s daily visits surely impacted his final days. On May 6, available family members had a Face Time call followed by individual visits to say goodbye. This was some comfort to the family as each noted after their turn that there was response to touch and voice. He died later that day.He will be dearly missed by daughter, Hyung Jin Kim, son Kimin Kim and Joan Stang-Kim, grandchildren Katrina and Joshua Kim; son Kiho Kim and Elizabeth Kim, grandchildren Noah and Dylan Kim. Chong Se is predeceased by his siblings but will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews Shiny, Mia (the late Keith), Brandon, Ashley, Ethan, Patty (Chris), Biko, and Elsie, Seungho, Sungran, Tony, Suzie, as well as extended family in the United States and Korea. The family wishes to thank the staff at Castleview for their compassion and care of Chong Se Kim in his final years. Funeral Arrangements have been made at Highland Funeral Home located at 3280 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto on Tuesday, May 12 from 9-11 a.m. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, no guests may be in attendance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada or the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The family appreciates the support of their families and friends.--------April 7, 2020 – This directive adds a greater limitation on the number of people who can be at funeral homes, not counting funeral home staff.The new maximum number of people who can be at a funeral home at one time is 10 or fewer. This pertains to the entire funeral home.My March 28 directive had placed the limit at 10 at each funeral or visitation. We now must make this more stringent in order to protect families and funeral home staff. Remember, if only one of your staff members comes down with COVID-19, your funeral home could be closed for two weeks or longer. We need you all open during this very hard time.The funeral home must be large enough for people to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres (six feet) apart from each other at all times, to a maximum of 10 people — in the entire funeral home establishment at one time.Even if you have unlimited space, or are outside, the maximum is 10. The number does not include funeral home staff.Focus on accommodating as few people as possible. The goal is safety for all families and all funeral home staff.Note, that if you advertise a funeral, visitation or gathering in any medium you must state this limitation or link to this directive.Follow this law strictly.Thank you all for the professional and caring work you do for Ontario families every day.Stay vigilant. We are ready…together with you to provide the best, safe bereavement services to Ontario families.This directive is made pursuant to an Emergency Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.-Carey Smith, CEO/Registrar, BAOhttps://mailchi.mp/20eff0aa3ef8/registrars-directive-10-max-in-the-entire-funeral-home-at-one-time?e=ad6dc26ec0