Tom S. Woo

Tom S. Woo, 94, passed away on March 28, 2013, in Helena after a brief illness.

Tom Woo was born in China, in a small village in Guangdong province on Oct. 18, 1918, to Yuen Sing Woo and Ting Von Woo. In 1915, his father immigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Havre, Mont., to open a restaurant called the Boston Café. He periodically returned to China to visit his wife and family, but always went back to Havre because of the business. We remember it as a classic diner style café, which served American comfort food and Chinese dishes. It had a lunch counter, leatherette booths and a small jukebox at each booth.

In 1936, Tom joined his father in the business. His education in the Havre Public School system was interrupted in 1942, when he was drafted to serve in World War II. He was in high school at the time and hoped to graduate with the class of 1944. He served in the Army Air Forces for the duration of the war plus six months. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was ultimately stationed in Assam along the border of India and China until the end of the war. After returning to his home village, he met his future wife, Sue Mah. They were married in 1946 and settled in the village until he returned to Montana to work in the restaurant. At the time, men still came to America to make a living and send money home to the wives and families left in China.

In 1948, he returned to China to bring Sue back to Havre where they raised four children. The home they built in 1957 was one of the first homes in Havre that had the latest modern conveniences, including central air conditioning.

After closing the Boston Café in 1962, Tom worked for the Dutch Shop Café, Hill County Courthouse, and finally Mountain Bell Telephone, then a subsidiary of AT&T retiring in 1984.

One of his proudest accomplishments was the fact that all four of their children graduated from universities with degrees, all with either multiple majors or graduate degrees. Education was important to Tom. He eventually achieved his GED and took a few courses at Montana State Univeristy-Northern.

In his retirement years, he enjoyed his coffee groups, including the Havre Mall Walkers, an eclectic group who met daily at the Holiday Village Mall for coffee and conversation. We're not sure how much walking took place.

In 2009, Tom and Sue moved to the Touchmark Retirement Community in Helena.

Tom is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sue Woo, his daughter Margaret of Helena; sons, Leon (Jennifer Boyd) Woo of Concord, Mass., Keith (Patti Collins) Woo of Ames, Iowa, and Kim of Natick, Mass.; and grandsons, Christopher Woo and Michael Woo of Concord, Mass. He is also survived by a sister, May Mar of Sparks, Nev.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no services. Condolences to Sue may be sent to her at 915 Saddle Drive, Apt. 351, Helena, MT 59601.