The funeral service of Dr Stanley Ho will be held this afternoon, with key figures of politics and business from both Macau and Hong Kong set to take part after attending a vigil for Dr Ho at Hong Kong Funeral Home on Thursday.
Dr Ho, widely recognized as the father of modern Macau, passed away on 26 May 2020 at the age of 98.
Eight people will carry the casket of Dr Ho at today’s funeral, including two vice presidents of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – former Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and former Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah. The pallbearers will also include current Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Deputy Chief of Hong Kong Liasion office, Tan Tieniu, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wei Nong, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank of East Asia Sir David Kwok-po Li, the Chairman of the board of Hong Kong-listed Asian infrastructure firm Hopewell Holdings Ltd Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung, and the ex-chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, Charles Lee Yeh-kwong.
The mourning hall was decorated with red and white roses on Thursday, while a plaque written by Dr Ambrose So – SJM Holdings Vice President and Executive Director and a close friend of Dr Ho – was hung in the center of the hall. Its Chinese phrase represented the late Dr Ho’s wit and humor and described him as a general who was in full control, leading everyone in the tent during conversation and laughs.
Today’s funeral ceremony will be conducted by Dr So.
Stanley Ho’s daughter Pansy Ho – the Co-Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd, Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings and Director of STDM – will represent the family to read out condolence messages from national leaders. His son, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, will thank various sectors and the public for their sympathy and messages.
Four people will deliver eulogies at the funeral, including Tung Chee-hwa, Lap-Chee Tsui, the former president of the University of Hong Kong, Charles Lee Yeh-kwong and Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, the eldest son of STDM co-founder Henry Fok.
A condolence book for Dr Ho was delivered to the funeral home this week, introducing Dr Ho’s life, businesses, contributions and attitude.
It stated, “Dr Ho was a natural in public speaking, popularly known for his sense of humor and captivating charisma, behind which also lie his acute foresight and wholehearted dedication. Driven by unwavering determination and an insatiable appetite for learning and improving, he never backed down from any obstacle or challenge. His perseverance and hard work not only defined his success, but also helped shape the communities and lives of many who were touched by his generosity.”
