Philip T. Moy, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2020 at Alden Court Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Center in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Days earlier, Philip celebrated his birthday in the company of his nieces and beloved wife, May (Wong) Moy.
Philip was born in Boston on July 1, 1926 to Lum Foon and Philip T. Moy. He was the youngest of four sons and survived his three brothers, Robert, Stewart, and Harry.
He left high school to work with the Navy as a welder. In 1944, at 18 years old, Philip registered to serve in the U.S. Army and joined the 342nd Infantry. He was stationed in the Philippines and served for two years. It was in the Army he learned to cook. Once he completed his military service, he started to pursue a culinary career. Philip moved to New Bedford to work in two local Cantonese Chinese restaurants including Charlie Wong’s and Mei Ling’s. It was at Charlie Wong’s restaurant he met his future wife, May Wong.
Philip and May married in 1956. In April 2020, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Once married, Philip began his ascent to Master Chef at the Cathay Temple in Mattapoisett, the Wong family’s third and last restaurant.
Philip was known for his loud, animated, and contagious laugh. Philip had talent and passion for bowling, shooting pool and fishing. He was an avid fisherman. On his days off from the restaurant, he was often found on his boat, the May May, fishing throughout Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod.
Philip is survived by his wife May and several nieces and nephews including: Jadine Loo-Dixon and Kathryn Hurlburt of Mattapoisett; Thomas Loo of Fairhaven; Karen Smith of Acushnet; Laura Lanagan of New Bedford; Lisa, Jade and Dennis Wong of Dartmouth; Jennifer Wong of Amherst; Carolyn Sedille of Lynn; and Shannon Wong of Pleasant Hill, CA. He is also survived by several grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff and care givers of Alden Court and Beacon Hospice for their loving, kind, and professional care of Philip Moy during this challenging time. Private funeral services were held at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals. Burial with military honors followed at Riverside Cemetery. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.