Joseph G. Wong

Joseph Gordon Wong was claimed by our gracious and loving Lord on December 30th, 2018 due to medical complications and age. He died peacefully early Sunday morning at age 86, just shy of 6 days until his 87th birthday. He was born in Chicago but lived in Rockford for 82 years after moving from Berwyn, IL as a child. The son of Joe Wong Shutong and Sophie Stapanik. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a postal clerk and mail foreman at the Rockford facility with 30 years of service. He received his B.A. degree in Philosophy from Villanova University. He proudly served his country under the U.S. Army Branch of Service as a Spec-4.
He served as a sacristan at St. Patrick Catholic Church for many years. He was also a docent at the Klehm Arboretum for several years. He belonged to the Fly Fishing Federation, the American Philatelic Society and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fly fishing, stamp and coin collecting, photography, and reading, especially mystery novels.
He is predeceased by both parents; his brother, Major Edward D. Wong; and his two sisters, Frances I. Lager and Mai T. O’Brien. His surviving relatives are one sister-in-law, Evelyn Verstynen; and three nephews, Donald R. Lager, Michael S. Lager and Jonn J. Lager.
His funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with visitation from 10 a.m. to time of Mass. Joseph will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery with the rest of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church. We wish to thank the doctor and nurses of OSF Cancer Center and OSF Hospice Care. We also wish to thank the staff of Presence Cor Mariae Center. For an online obituary, tributes and condolences please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108.