Elton "Big Al" Edward Fong

Elton “Big Al” Edward Fong, was a family man through and through. He accomplished his mission in life to bring family together, and instilled early on in his now adult-aged children, “Blood is thicker than water.”

He taught his four children and eight grandchildren the values of hard work, grit, and integrity. The example and installation of these values onto his children is evident in their many personal and professional accomplishments. All have become respected in their chosen professions and have developed into incredible parents and role models themselves. The values Al held and demonstrated true are deeply embedded into his childrens’ hearts. All indications are that Al’s core values and life’s lessons are having the same influence on his grandchildren as they grow and develop into the fine young adults they are to become.

He was born March 19, 1939, in Niles, California to William and Mary Fong, and preceded in death by his parents and sister Ellen Lew. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army before finding his lifelong career at 24 with the Ford family starting as a porter at a San Francisco based Ford dealership. His strong work ethic and gregarious personality got him quickly promoted to a lube tech, mechanic, service advisor, dispatcher, and finally a service manager at two East Bay Ford locations. He gave more than 40 years to Ford, and in the 1970s was one of the top service managers in the industry, which was an honor for an Asian American at that time. He worked for 28 years at his last dealership before officially retiring at age 62. Bored in retirement, he took on three part-time jobs, as a meter attendant with the City of San Leandro Police Department for 15 years, shuttle driver for the Hilton Garden Inn and the Holiday Inn, and a substitute for the Ford Store in San Leandro.

Al is survived by his wife Charli Fong, daughters Marcella McFadden, Anny Carson, Kelly Fong, and son, Michael Fong. He was the proud grandfather of Jack and Ryan McFadden; Sophia, Julia and Joshua Fong; and Chase, Skyler and Ezra Carson.

Friday, October 15, 2021: Viewing 10 - 11:30 a.m. and Services 11:30 a.m. at Santos Robinson Mortuary located at 160 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro. Private immediate family burial.

                                                  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Al's name to                                                      The Food Bank of Alameda County, 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621

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