The Editor's cousin (4th, once-removed), and I believe at the time of his death the oldest living male descendent of the American branch of the family (I usually addressed him as "Dean of the Ongs"), Tom Ong, passed away last week, just nine days before his 93rd birthday. While we never met, we maintained a correspondence over many years, mostly via Facebook where he was long an active observer of world and national affairs, impressively so for a person of his generation. After retiring from a career in advertising, Tom turned his creative focus towards fiction, and his novels are available on Amazon here. Condolences to his children and to everyone in that branch of the family tree. RIP
From the Philadelphia Inquirer (Feb. 1, 2023):
William Thompson (Tom) Ong, a writer and advertising executive, died on January 28, 2023 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93. After a career in advertising in New York, he co-founded the agency, McAdams & Ong in Philadelphia. In 1995, Mr. Ong was elected the MVP by the Philadelphia Advertising Club. "Tom was an enormous talent and a great partner," wrote Brian McAdams on Facebook. In 1996, he embarked on a career as a novelist and screenwriter. Philadelphia serves as a backdrop for many of his six novels and the screenplay of his novel "The Lion and the Eagle" that won an award from the Houston Film Festival. Mr. Ong was born on February 6, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1952, he received his BA from DePauw University. From 1953-55, he served in the US Army 513th Military Intelligence Group in Germany. In 1953, he received a MS in journalism from Columbia University School of Journalism. He is survived by his beloved partner of 33 years, Rita Eisenberg, as well as his 3 daughters Isabelle Kellogg, Samantha Cook (Jamie), and Cassandra Andrea Ong, and 3 grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his grandson Nathaniel Cook and 2 brothers. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at The First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica, California. Donations in memory of William Thompson Ong can be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica. (fpcsantamonica.org).
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