MR. AH CHEE DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 555, 7 January 1929, Page 1

MR. AH CHEE DEAD

MANAGER OF CITY FIRM

SPORTSMAN AND PATRIOT

Representative of one of the senior Chinese families in New Zealand and general manager of the firm of Ah Chee and Co., Mr. William Ah Chee died at his residence, “Holmeswood,” t! Park Avenue, yesterday, at the age of 39 years.

A long illness had been the misfortune of the late Mr. Ah Chee. He was stricken down with pleurisy in the first week in June and he had kept to his bed for about eight months. He was the eldest living son of Mr. Ah Chee, who founded the business in Auckland in 1882, and who is at present living in China.

BORN IN AUCKLAND

Born in Parnell and educated at the Normal and Grammar schools, Mr. Ah Chee entered fully into the life of the community. In his younger days he

was a footballer and a boxer, and he retained his interest in these sports, becoming a member of the Auckland Boxing Association. He was also a keen motorist and formerly owned a racing car.

He entered liis father’s business and in 1914 became general manager. For years he was an active member of the Chinese societies, including the Kuo Min Tang, or Nationalist Club. On two occasions, in 1906 and in 1926, he made trips to the land of his forefathers. He represented the 20th generation of “Chans” or Chinese families and by virtue of this was entitled to the honour of being called “greatgrandfather” by some of the oldest Chinese residents in the city. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

The remaining son of the family is Mr. Clem Ah Cliee, also of the firm. History has repeated itself m a strange way. Mr. Ah Cliee, senr., was the third and only remaining son of a family of four, and Mr. Clem Ah Chee is now in this position in the next generation. The widow of the late Mr. Ah Chee is a Chinese, and she is now in Sydney on her return journey from a trip to China. The funeral may be postponed until she is able to reach Auckland. Mr. Ah Chee leaves a family cf three sons and two daughters, the eldest son being 21 years of age and the eldest daughter 19.