Obituary of Caroline Hong

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Caroline Hong - our beloved wife, daughter, sister and friend to many. She died at her home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador in the care of her husband Perry and beloved dog Kracker, after a year-long illness with cancer.

Caroline was born in Hong Kong, and immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1969. At an early age, she began looking after her siblings while also assisting with the busy operation of the family business, Hong’s Take-Out in the east end of St. John’s. She attended Memorial University earning a BSc degree in Food Sciences and studied biochemistry. In 1990, she met her husband and life-partner, Perry Trimper, at a Taoist Tai Chi Class where they both would become instructors. The couple was married three years later in a three-day long multicultural celebration. In 1995, they moved to HV-GB establishing Labrador operations for the environmental consulting firm Jacques Whitford (later Stantec). 

Once a city girl, Caroline embraced the adventure of northern life. Within a year, she was directing helicopters and multiple baseline studies from a Coast Guard icebreaker for the Voisey’s Bay Project. Over the next three decades, she completed numerous environmental, health and safety investigations throughout the region, usually under adverse field conditions. 

Community service was extremely important for Caroline. She was a humble and hard-working volunteer on the organizing committee of Voisey’s Bay & Beyond (later ExpoLabrador); the Grenfell Health Board; responsible for air and ground transportation with the Labrador Winter Games; and served two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay where she was recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship. She was an early morning regular with ‘Kids Eat Smart’, the SPCA, and in many initiatives with her United Church ‘family’.

In the fall of 2022, Caroline was invited by 5 Wing Goose Bay to become their Honourary Colonel, a professional and personal recognition that she embraced immediately. Unfortunately, she withdrew from the process when she learned of her cancer diagnosis in April 2023. In tribute, the Wing created the Caroline Hong Spirit Award recognizing a member of their team dedicated to community service.

Caroline and Perry explored the globe, often experiencing these cultural travels with the Goodyears, Jenkins or Perros. Golf, piano, dancing, Coronation Street, and being with one of her German Shepherds over the years were all important ways to enjoy life. Entertaining at home with her legendary meals was a special passion, usually around banya - always with friends. Caroline recently asked for one more ‘Gathering’ a few weeks ago – her friends did not disappoint even on short notice.  

Left to mourn are Perry Trimper, her husband and soulmate for over 30 years; her mother Lan Hong; her sister Julia Hong, her brother William (Minnie) Hong and their son Mason; June and Wendell Trimper, Scott and Jackie Trimper, Neil Trimper, nieces and nephews Megan (Russ) Soroka and their children Katerina and Maksim, Ryan Trimper, Alex (Leone Stanway) Trimper, and extended family elsewhere in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Germany; and Kracker. She was predeceased by her father Yan Quon William Hong and Zoey and Whitney.

We would like to recognize and express our appreciation to the medical professionals at the Labrador Health Centre and the H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, in particular Dr. Gabe Woollam, Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald, Dr. Bahraim Shahi, Dr. Astrid Billfalk-Kelly, Dr. Erin Powell, Dr. Andrew Furey, Maggie Webb, Denise Gould, Melissa Butler, Kara White, Kyle Curlew, Emily Fox, Angie Lawrence and many others.  Over the course of this journey, the support of our family, friends, neighbours and many others from near and far, provided remarkable energy that worked beautifully with Caroline’s positive outlook, determination and grace. To pay it forward, Caroline asked that any donations in memory of her be directed towards breast cancer research, the H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre or Labrador’s Air Daffodil, in support of those who are still on this journey. 

We invite our family and friends to a gathering at the HVGB United Church on Wednesday 27 March (1900-2100 hrs), to a celebration of her life at the Northern Lights Chapel of 5 Wing Goose Bay on Thursday 28 March at 1400 hrs, and to the reception immediately afterwards at the International Room of the Canuck Club.

There will be a service and interment of her ashes at Mount Pleasent Cemetery in St. John's, NL, at a date to be announced.

"You can tell we have good friends when you just pick up, where we left off, even if it has been a while" – Caroline Hong (April 2023)