Plant a tree in memory of Harry
An environmentally friendly option
1 tree(s) planted in memory of Harry Mook
Loading...
D
Darrell Mook posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Eulogy for Dad
On behalf of the family, I want to take this moment to celebrate our father’s life. Dad would have wanted it that way. And we all know that Mooky always got it, his way.
His father, George, was a legendary leader of Chinatown in his time, He was blind for most of his life, and he passed away when Dad was only 25. Mooky would occasionally remind us kids that: “ My father was blind, and I got away with nothing. What do you think your chances are?” Dad’s mother lived with us and raised us to speak Chinese before we ever spoke English. She passed away when Dad was 35. By then he was raising the three of us and running the 4 Seas, seven days a week.
Mooky was a renaissance man. He taught us to “always be a leader, never be a follower”. And he lead with actions, not words. He wore custom made suits to go to work in a basement in Chinatown. He had his nails manicured, finished with clear polish. In the 1960’s a man who wore nail polish would have been called a “sissy”. But I doubt that anyone ever called Mooky a sissy. At least not to his face.
Mooky was a rare combination of book smarts and street smarts. He was fluent in Chinese and English, he had a degree from BU, and he reached the rank of lieutenant in the US Army. Dad had an insurance brokers license, a real estate license, and even entered law school. Maybe that’s part of the reason why you could never win an argument with Mooky.
But he also had a “PhD” in people. He knew EVERYONE. Governors, celebrities, and working people who never spoke English. His charm was that he related to all people the same way. Like with his family, Mooky gave everyone he touched love, guidance and, when necessary, discipline. His bark was worse than his bite. But that bark was ominous, and seemed to resonate long after he left the room.
Of course he loved his family, especially his granddaughters. To them, their Gung Gung was a big, sneakers and jeans wearing teddy bear, sleep over host, chauffeur, purveyor of Happy Meals, and best Girl Scout cookie seller ever! But he also loved Chinatown, the Chinese Freemasons, and the Gung Ho Club. Mooky used his wits, connections, and his irrepressible drive, for the betterment of the Asian community. He championed affordable housing, civil rights, and immigrant employment, long before those issues were in the public conscience or politically correct. He bridged the gap between establishment government and the Asian condition.
In 1948, Mooky and a small group of teenage friends founded the Gung Ho Club. Like a doting parent, he loved, guided, and occasionally disciplined “the Club”, and watched with great pride as it grew into an incredible social, cultural, athletic organization which has continued to serve the community for generations.
Although Mooky was also a loyal Chinese Freemason, rising to the rank of Boston President and National Chairman, he used that mantle to unify the myriad of associations and factions within Chinatown. His reach was international, where he worked tirelessly to establish and balance social and cultural ties with Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. Mooky was progressive before his time. He would be proud that , today, the Boston Chinese Freemasons has its first ever woman, and a Gung Ho Club brother, as Co-Presidents.
But the best way to celebrate Mooky ‘s life is to remember how everyone loved him back, for all that he did, and for the person that he was. It wasn’t about the many titles and honors bestowed upon him. Rather it was simply the way that people would rush across the street to greet him and engage with him, everyday. Our family is truly uplifted by how much everyone loved Mooky back. That will always help to fill the emptiness in our hearts.
An ancient poet said that: “Those with memories, need not despair”. So we are all set. Because we’ve all got a million Mooky memories.
We are grateful that Dad is reunited with our Mom, and his parents.
And we know that Heaven is going to be very loud tomorrow because, “ a Fie” is cooking up a storm at the 4 Seas in the sky, and Mooky, Ming Chow, Reggie, Sowy, Bolo, and the gang are there with cigars, Remy, and mah jong tiles. That’s resting-in-peace, Mooky style.
We love you Dad.
M
Marchella Posted Sep 20, 2020 at 2:15 AM
Report
S
Sally Wynn Posted Sep 24, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Report
T
Tribute Store
Friday, September 18, 2020
//d1uep5tseb3xou.cloudfront.net/content/images/thumbs/0002054.jpeg
With sympathy from Laura and John McGivney
Please wait
A
Aaron & Maria Michlewitz purchased flowers
Thursday, September 17, 2020
//d1uep5tseb3xou.cloudfront.net/content/images/thumbs/0003403_strength-and-solace-spray.jpeg
Thinking of you at this difficult time. Our sincere condolences.
Please wait
M
Marchella & Ben uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 17, 2020
/public-file/13/Ultra/704ffebe-b029-4281-9c86-fd3b6c0a5900.jpeg
/public-file/14/Ultra/2d2d72b9-b73c-40bc-bff1-cc8c5d610149.jpeg
/public-file/15/Ultra/69b28f59-d923-4eaf-af67-363935c33f15.jpeg
Best friends always
M
Marchella & Ben posted a symbolic gesture
Thursday, September 17, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/heart.png
Condolences to the Mook and Jew families. Grandpa Mook is finally reunited with Auntie Marie and his many friends who have passed before him including my dad. They shared so many good memories that spanned decades. I can almost hear that big party going on up there. RIP Grandpa Mook. #friendsforever
R
Ronald (Sloogy) _ and Nancy Wong purchased flowers
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
//d1uep5tseb3xou.cloudfront.net/content/images/thumbs/0002003.jpeg
With loving memories of "Harry Mook",
Please wait
p
pauleng103@yahoo.com uploaded photo(s)
Monday, September 14, 2020
/public-file/12/Ultra/7302915b-a58b-40e5-af0c-f982df767019.png
P
Paula lit a candle
Sunday, September 13, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle10.png
I am honored to have been an “adopted daughter” of Harry and Marie. I am blessed and a better person from the love the entire Mook family has bestowed upon me. Sending warm wishes and heartfelt condolences to Charlene, Grant, Darrell, Jeanette, Brian, Amanda, Madeleine and Natalie. Auntie Paula
D
Don Cuccio posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Classy Gentleman all the way and miss the Four Seas Clams.
S
Steve Wyzanski posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Darrell, Charlene and Brian. Im saddened by your dads passing. It’s been a long time but he will never be forgotten. That big black caddie with the red interior. Z32. Sitting in the back was like being in a limo. I’ll always remember staying over on a Friday or Saturday night and waking up to a bag of chicken wings and fried rice. Can still taste that cold food. My has time gone by. RIP Mr Mook.
L
LM posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
My deepest condolences to Darrell, Jeannette, Charlene and Brian. Sadly, his life here, completed not long after my fathers, one of his lifelong best friends.
His big presence, voice as loud as my fathers. He always wore his infamous huge jade ring, well-groomed, cologne and manicured nails. Feared by some but never me who knew him as Grandpa Mook. You're with Auntie Marie now and certainly geting into mischief with my father by your side.
C
Christine Eng posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
I have very pleasant memories of playing Mah Jong with Mookie at Dot and Lorraines house at 15 Hudson St. I was always impressed how well dressed he was and of course his manicured hands. Nobody but Mookie did that! His smile and sense of humor made the sessions noisy and fun. One thing I noticed was his love for iced water and would drink continuisly throughout the evening.
Mookie and my brother Reggie shared the same birthday May 8. While Mookie was very supportive during Reggie's hospitalization and passing. He understood and humored me by letting me call him on their respective birthdays afterward. I remember with sadness the last time I called him and was not able to speak to him.
My sincerest sympathies to Mookie's family and may Mookie rest in Peace
S
Steve Fratalia posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Sincerest condolences to the family especially Charlene whom I used to work with. Charlene you remain one of the brightest, most competent and certainly sweetest colleagues I have ever encountered.
May you and your family find strength and comfort in the memory and love of your dear father.
Fondest regards.
Steve Fratalia
D
Donna Wong Chow posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
A Chinatown icon has passed.
My parents, sister Rose, brother Stan and myself lived above the 4 Seas restaurant on 4 Tyler St. in the 1960’s. The spinning 4 Seas neon sign would flash through my bedroom window.
With Mookie being so well known in Chinatown, he always respected and acknowledged my elderly parents when he saw them. I remember my mother fussing at him when he had all the crates piled up near the stairs to our apartment. Mookie immediately had the cooks move them away.
Living next door to the Gung Ho Club @ 6 Tyler St, we could always hear the activity going on down below in the early morning.
When we lived on Harvard St in the 50’s, I remember Mookie dating Marie, who lived with Gordon and Anita Chue on Harvard St.
We moved from Harvard St to 70 Hudson St, I met Grant’s mother and enjoyed babysitting him.
I want to offer my condolences to Darrell,Charlene and Brian whom I have not had the pleasure to know since I moved to Houston Texas in Dec 1972 but still have many family and friends in Boston.
Rest in Peace, Mookie.
Donna Wong Chow
M
Mae Williams planted a tree in memory of Harry Mook
Thursday, September 10, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-store/memorial-tree.jpg
Charlene & Family, Thinking of you and your family. I have so many fond memories of Harry.Thoughts and prayers with you. Love Mae, David, Sam and Syd Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
Please wait
m
The family of Harry Mook uploaded a photo
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
/tribute-images/145/Ultra/Harry-Mook.jpg
Please wait
