Cheong Koon Hong and family (Bukit Brown)

Mrs Cheong Koon Hong nee Madam Yeo Kim Yan passed away at the age of 34 on 8th March 1941 at her residence at 75 Koon Seng Road. She leaves behind her husband, 5 sons, 6 daughters, 1 daughter-in-law , two grandsons and two grand daughters to mourn her loss. She is buried in Bukit Brown Hill 5, Division C, plot 123.

Her husband, Cheong Koon Hong is one of two sons of Cheong Ann Bee and Tan Wah Neo. Cheong Koon Hong and his brother Cheong Koon Seng were responsible for the building of Theatre Royal in North Bridge Road (former Blanco Court, now Raffles Hospital) and are the proprietors of the Star Opera Co. which performs opera every night (except Thursday's) in the Malay language. Performances include Shakespearean pieces such as Hamlet, stories such as Arabian Nights, Ali Baba to Chinese classics such as Sam-pek Eng-Tai. Mr. Cheong Koon Hong was the patron of the Eclipse Badminton Party (1947) , president of the Singapore Funeral Association (1934), patron of United Confederate Funeral Association (1953).

Mr. Cheong Koon Hong passed away at the age of 81 in October 1964. He is survived by a widow, 4 sons ( Cheong Hock Quee, Cheong Hock Siew, Cheong Hock Lock, 6 daughters, 5 daughter-in-laws, six son-in-laws, many grandchildren. Funeral service was held at Church of Holy Family, Katong.

Cheong Koon Hong with his colleagues


Theatre Royal - Star Opera Co.
(source: National Archives )
  
Tomb of Madam Yeo Kim Yan

Tomb of Madam Yeo Kim Yan 

Family 

Son: Cheong Hock Whatt
Cheong Hock Whatt, the second son of Cheon Koon Hong got engaged to Miss Lau Hui Keow (second daughter of Mr Lau Pau Song in 18 May 1948. Cheong Hock Whatt passed away at the age of 33 on 9th February 1956. He is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs Cheong Koon Hong, wife Hui Keow and 2 sons. He was buried in Bidadari.

Son: Cheong Hock Lock
The fourth son of Mr and Mrs Cheong Koon Hong, Mr. Hilary Cheong Hock Lock married Miss Florence Barbara Baptist, youngest daughter of Mrs. A.A. Baptist. at the Church of St. Joseph's on 29 October 1961. Both of them were working at the Singapore Telephone Board.


Daughter: Cheong Keong Siok 
An engagement notice was announced on July 15, 2604 (15 July 1944) between Wee Chye Koon (eldest son of Mr and Mrs Wee Teow Siong) and Miss Cheong Keong Siok (second daughter of Mr and Mrs Cheong Koon Hong)

Father: Cheong Ann Bee
Cheong Ann Bee was born in Malacca in 1833 and came to Singapore when he was 10 years old. He spoke no English as he attended Chinese school as a boy but nevertheless work in European firms such as Messrs. Dare & Co. and W. Mansfield & Co. He went on to venture into shipchandlery business  together with Tan Eng Siew under the name Ann-Bee, Eng-Siew & Co. In 1878, they parted ways and Cheong Ann Bee eventually partner Syed Mohamed Alsagoff and Lim Eng Keng in the firm Ann Bee & Co until it was eventually wound up in 1898. Cheong Ann Bee was known for his charitable disposition in providing eye salve (ointment) to those in need, especially coolies. Cheong Ann Bee died on March 9, 1896.

Mother: Mrs Cheong Ann Bee
Mrs Cheong Ann Bee passed away on April 2, 1927 at No 95-5 River Valley Road. She was 75 years old. She is survived by 2 sons, 7 daughters, 7 son-in-laws, 43 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Funeral of Mrs Cheong Ann Bee, April 1927
(source: NewspaperSG)
Mrs Cheong Ann Bee's tomb

Brother: Cheong Koon Seng 
Cheong Koong Seng, J.P., M.C. was born in 1880 and educated in Anglo Chinese School. Cheong Koon Seng,  is the proprietor of Messrs. Cheong Koon Seng & Co. and holds the honor of being one of the best known pioneer local auctioneers and estate agents in Singapore. He was trained under the auctioneering firm Powell & Co for 20 years and was also the manager of Commercial Rubber Co. Ltd from 1918-1920, before striking it out on his own in January 1920, based initially at 80 Kling Street under the style of Messrs Cheong Koon Seng and Co.
Cheong Koon Seng
(source: NewspaperSG)

Cheong Koon Seng passed away peacefully at his residence, "Valley-side" in No 299 River Valley Road at 9 am on March 20, 1934 at the age of 55. He is survived by his wife (Chia Siew Tin), three sons ( Cheong Hock Chye, Cheong Hock Guan and Cheong Hock Leng), 4 daughters (Cheong Keong Poh,Cheong Keong Tee, Cheong Keong Tuan, Cheong Keong Hee, Cheong Keong Aik, Cheong Keong Heok)  and 4 grandchildren.


Sister: Cheong Seok Neo (Mrs. Tan Kee Cheok)
Mrs. Tan Kee Cheok nee Madam Cheong Seok Neo passed away on 4th July 1940 at the age of 64. She was listed to staying at No. 161 Marine Parade and in the article, mentions that she is beloved sister of Mr. Cheong Koon Hong.



References
Untitled. (1940, February 25). The Straits Times, page 8
Domestic Occurrence. (1941, March 10). Malaya Tribune, page 9
Deaths. (1956, February 10). The Straits Times, page 6
Wedding at Saint Joseph's Church. (1961, October 30). The Straits Times, page 4
Deaths. (1964, October 11). The Straits Times, page 11
Cheong Koon Hong. Geni.com

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