[2024.10.06] DANNY LEE PRAISES LATE FRIEND NORMAN CHUI AS A "REAL HERO"

Shirley Yim and her sister Michelle Yim stopped for media photos when they left

Erica and Edward Chui thanked family, friends and the media for their care and concern.
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

Michelle and Shirely Yim posed for media photos but declined any interview

Shirley Yim's children with Norman Chui, Erica and Edward Chui arrived early to handle the affair, clasping their hands and only saying to the media, "Thank you for your concern."

Norman Chui (right) and his third wife Meng Yuxuan's posthumous photo

The memorial service had a Buddhist ceremony. Floral arrangements from Norman Chui's brother and five children were placed in the center and in front of the photo

Norman Chui's work played in the hall

Danny Lee has known Norman Chui for 53 years, and regrets that he was unable to see his friend one last time in the mainland

Eric Tsang attended the memorial service

Ben Ng and his wife Tong Lai Kau paid their respect
courtesy of mingpao.com

Known as the "Big Hero", the martial arts movie star Norman Chui Shiu Keung died of esophageal cancer in Beijing on September 1st at the age of 73. A funeral was held in Beijing; his third wife who was 30 years younger than him, Meng Yuxuan also died of a heart attack on September 5th while handling the funeral. Yesterday Chui Shiu Keung's family co-organized a memorial service for their parents in Hong Kong. They held a memorial ceremony at the Universal Funeral Parlor with a Buddhist ceremony. From 4 pm to 10 pm, family and friends could bid farewell.

The mourning hall is simply decorated, with a paper crane placed outside the hall. In the center of the hall was a computer-generated composite color photo of Chui Shiu Keung and his wife. The children knew this photo with long white hair was a photo their father took with his favorite long hairstyle and also chose for the posthumous photo. In front of the hall were the heart-shaped wreaths of Chui Shiu Keung's brother and five children. Two TVs were placed on the left and right sides, playing clips of Chui Shiu Keung's film and television works. Several children arrived at the scene early to take care of the affair. Chui Shiu Keung and ex Shirley Yim (Suet Lei)'s children Edward Chui Woai Dong and Erica Chui were dressed in black. They walked out of the mourning hall at about 4 PM for the media to take photos, but declined to be interviewed. The two clasped their hands and thanked the media for their concern before returning to the mourning hall. At about 4:30PM, Suet Lei and her sister Michelle Yim (Mai Suet) with hesunglasses and masks arrived at the mourning hall one after another. At 5:15 PM, Mai Suet accompanied Suet Lei out for the media to take pictures. The two looked solemn. After taking the photos they also declined to be interviewed. Mai Suet only said, "Thank you for your concern!" Suet Lei then returned to the mourning hall, and left in a car three minutes later, staying for about 45 minutes in total. The 5 children later sent a message of appreciation to the media. "We believe that after today's family memorial service, our father Chui Shiu Keung and his wife My wife Meng Yuxuan would be deeply comforted in heaven. The 5 children of the Chui family hereby again thank all the family, friends and the media for their care and love."

Meeting Chui Shiu Keung in 1971 and having known each other for more than 50 years, Danny Lee Sau Yin also came to express his condolences early. When he was interviewed, he said that he and Chui Shiu Keung were both in the first training class of Shaw Brothers, but Chui left after training for three weeks and did not return until the third training class. Lee Sau Yin recalled that when filming the movie THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN in 1975, the two went to India for the location shoot and had a lot of fun. While filming REINCARNATED, Chui Shiu Keung suddenly disappeared when filming the 30th episode. He was the only one who could reach him, so he was responsible for contacting him for work on behalf of the producer. Having known Chui Shiu Keung for more than half a century, Lee Sau Yin expressed that he had too many memories between them. "This old friend was a real hero. He always paid the bill first when we went drinking. He would never be a leech. He paid the bill first whether he has money or not. He was very popular in the community." When he saw a stuntman without a job, Chui Shiu Keung would take out whatever money he had. Once a stuntman was injured, he gave him all the money he had on him. Thus the name of hero did not come by easily. Has he helped him too? Lee Sau Yin said, "As brothers, everyone know what the other is thinking. He helped people in need, not just helping others randomly."

The last time Lee Sau Yin saw Chui Shiu Keung was only two months ago. They met in Hong Kong. At that time, he was in good spirits. Friends learned that he was ill and tried to persuade him to stay in Hong Kong for treatment. He also ate and drank as usual. "However he has a very stubborn personality. He insisted on returning to Beijing. Many of his friends, including Fung Hak On and Mang Hoi, have died of esophageal cancer, so I would advise everyone to seek medical advice early." Speaking of director Lau Koon Wai and many of Chui Shiu Keung's firends holding a memorial serivce for Chui Shiu Keung and his wife at Hengdian Dazhi Temple last month, Lee Sau Yin expressed his regret that he was unable to attend due to work that day, especially not being able to see his friend for the last time.

In addition, Chui Shiu Keung's friends Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Eddie Kwan Lai Kit, and Ben Ng Ngai Cheung and Tong Lai Kau, Ben Lam Kwok Bun, Chung Tsz Chung, Eddie Pang Wai On, Ken Law Ho Ming came to pay their respects one after another. Jackie Chan, Eileen Yiu Chi Ling, Jackie Lui Chung Yin and Mak King Tak, Chin Kar Lok and his wife Angela Tong Ying Ying, Max Mok Siu Chung, Chan Kwok Kwan and his wife Emme Wong Yee Man all sent floral arrangements.