Obituary of Sam Jay

Sam Jay passed away peacefully at home on March 4th, 2017, surrounded by family. Sam is survived by his wife Ina (Mee Lan Chow), his children: Hilton (Laurie), Susan (Al), Hillman, Sammy (Nichole) and his grandchildren: Jasmine, Connor, Ethan and Mia. He was predeceased by his parents Sam Deryet and Quen Shee Deryet, his older brother Meen Kwong who remained in China and nephew Kim Tse. Sam was born on February 6th, 1930 in Koo Hong Village, Hoiping Kwangtung in China. In 1952, he emigrated to Canada to join his parents. On May 24th, 1958, Sam married Ina in Hong Kong and later that year they came to Canada and settled in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, where Sam worked at The Star Cafe. Their first son, Hilton, was born in 1959. In 1960, Sam and Ina moved to Saskatoon where Susan was born. In 1962, the Jays moved to Davidson to own and operate The Owl Cafe. Sam always enjoyed helping the local hunters clean, prepare, and cook wild game. He was an avid gardener and grew Chinese vegetables to use in their restaurant. Adding to their family, Hillman was born in 1964 and Sammy in 1971. With a Grade 8 education and experience in the restaurant business, Sam, along with Ina started Jay Investments Ltd., in order to purchase their first real estate property, St. Lawrence Apartments in Saskatoon in 1977. In 1981, they sold The Owl Cafe in Davidson and moved the family to Saskatoon as their interest in real estate grew. Sam and Ina purchased numerous properties in Saskatoon and became very successful entrepreneurs, to provide their children with a good education and a better life. Sam was a self taught handy man. He was always interested in learning how things worked. This curious nature and work ethic enhanced his skills to maintain their apartment buildings. Sam enjoyed going to the race track and even owned a winning thoroughbred at one time. He always looked forward to spending time with his friends to play a competitive game of Mah Jong, or socializing at the casino. Family was very important to Sam. He loved gathering his family together for Dim Sum. There was always a fight for the bill after the meal, but Sam always won. Sam instilled in his children a strong work ethic. His favourite saying was "It's not how much you make, it's how much you save." He loved his family very much. His grandchildren always put a big smile on his face! In his later years, Sam was able to remain at home with Ina's love and care.