I was contacted by Joe G. of the Forum that Gary Hong (FridgeFan) may have passed away this week, but Joe wasn't 100% sure this was the same Gary Hong that we knew.

I sent an email to Gary in hopes that he was still OK, and unfortunately this was not the case. I received this response:

FROM: Stephen D. Cain, Instructional Dean, Montgomery College
SUBJECT: Lifelong Learning Institute

I regret to inform you that Mr. Gary Hong died on Sunday, May 25, 2008. If you have a matter concerning the Lifelong Learning Institute, please forward it to me at Stephen.Cain@montgomerycollege.edu. Thank you

For those of us who knew Gary, he was an avid and passionate Washington Senators, Washington Nationals, and Maryland Terrapins collector. He was also a sterling member of his community and where he worked at Montgomery College in Maryland.


Gary made only 23 posts on the Forum and this may have been one of my favorites regarding his passion:

04-17-2007, 08:21 AM
fridgefan
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 23


Re: I would like to see a game used convention
A game used convention has been done. From 1993-98 Gary Hong and Phil Wood developed and promoted the annual Nationals Sports Equipment & Vintage Memorabilia Show in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. Each show was typically Friday night and Saturday and Sunday and featured 40 tables of dealers and collectors. No cards or beanie babies were allowed! The shows were very popular; however, its a lot of work, but it can be sucessfully done! The two also published a bimonthly newsletter, Diamond Duds, the only newsletter specifically for collectors of major league baseball uniforms and equipment, from 1991-1998.
This was posted online:

HONG GARY CHEN HONG (Age 58) On Monday, May 26, 2008, Gary Chen Hong of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved son of the late Chen and Pearl Hong; brother of Gloria Hong, Joyce Yee, Audrey Hong and Bruce Hong. Also survived by four nephews, one niece and one grand-niece. Relatives and friends may call at COLLINS FUNERAL HOME, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m., where funeral service will be held on Monday, June 2 at 11 a.m. Interment George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery College Foundation, c/o Gary Hong Memorial Scholarship, 900 Hungerford Drive, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850 or to a charity of your choice.

Gary, we pray for you and your family and you will be missed.