克城消息

Stanley Eng Way - Street dedicated to AsiaTown Leader and Pioneer

East 30th Street through the heart of Cleveland's AsiaTown is now and forever called Stanley Eng Way. The AsiaTown community came together on December 7, 2019 to Honor the late Stanley Eng during a street naming ceremony. I was honored to MC the event to memorialize a community hero and pioneer who cared deeply about the people and especially the elderly first generation Chinese and those in need. He changed and impacted countless lives through the years, and even now, 15 years after his passing his legacy continues to serve the community and its people. The special occasion included Mr. Eng's Daughters Delia and Eudora (Cynthia was not able to attend) and Son Stan and their families who came from across the country to be part of this tribute to their wonderful Father.

The street naming was spearheaded by Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones who recognized the need for the growing AsiaTown to honor its history and its people. MidTown Cleveland's Executive Director Jeff Epstein, Director Joyce Huang, and AsiaTown Project Manager Karis Tzeng, working with the AsiaTown Advisory Committee including leaders from Cleveland Asian Festival, OCA Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Chinese Christian Church, Cleveland Chinese Seniors Citizens Association, and other area leaders selected Stanley Eng for the honor based on his many acts of service for AsiaTown.

Some of the many wonderful and lasting contributions from this gentle man with a heart to serve: 1) founded and led the Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizens Association, 2) led efforts to establish an AsiaTown Health Center that served the community for many years in the upper level of Asia Plaza, 3) established the Chinese Newcomers Service Center helping those in need, 4) spearheaded efforts resulting in the construction of the Asian Evergreen Apartments on Payne Ave and then personally donating $150,000 toward kitchen construction so the residents could prepare meals and have a place of community, 5) launched a seniors meal program appropriate for the selective 1st generation Asian palate, 6) led English classes for many, and 7) probably most dear to this man of faith, he helped found the Cleveland Chinese Christian Church (previously on Trebisky Road now on Emery Road) and then worked to expand to a Midtown/AsiaTown building with a dedicated Cantonese service so that the AsiaTown community could come to know the gospel.

In addition to Councilman Jones, the ceremony also included County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell, and the presentation of a certificate from U.S. Congresswoman Representative Marcia L. Fudge. Memories of Mr. Eng were provided by Wayne Wong, Cleveland Asian Festival and Don Fong, Cleveland Chinese Christian Church, both of whom grew up in AsiaTown. Jason Lin, Cleveland Chinese Senior Citizens Association, with translator Wilfred Cheung provided further accounts of Mr. Eng's charity and leadership.
It is hard to think of anyone from AsiaTown, even those that did not know Mr. Eng, that were not touched in some way either directly or indirectly through friends or family members that benefited from his many efforts. The street sign reads Stanley Eng Way - it has two purposes: It honors this man and his many lasting good works; But the street sign also reminds us of how Mr. Eng served not for personal benefit but because he cared deeply about the people, his neighbors, his friends. THAT -- was the Stanley Eng Way. May we all learn by his example. In the future, when you bring friends and family to AsiaTown and they ask "Why is this street called Stanley Eng Way?" everyone can tell them about this amazing man. Mr. Eng - AsiaTown Thanks You.