每日评论0703 悼好友葛蘭兄弟

悼好友葛蘭兄弟

今午接獲葛蘭夫人凯蒂之電話，傳來一陣悲悽之話聲，告訴我葛蘭昨晚走了。僅僅不過數月之時間，他終於抵不過病魔之挑戰，走完了他多彩多姿的七十六個年頭，他的微笑慷慨助人為樂之精神永遠活在我們的心中。

我們相識是在他們家族所經營的休斯敦東京園大飯店，當年這家充滿著日本風味小橋流水之餐館已經是德州休斯敦政商聚會之最重要塲所。我經常應邀參加各種大小政經活動，尤其是亞裔參政之集會，葛蘭是我們的領軍人物，之後他成為布什家庭及參眾院議員市長之好友。

多年來他縱橫商界，創立六百多家日本壽司店，更遍及全美。在商場上之得意他並未忘記對社區之回饋，二十年前他加入我們創辦了休斯敦國際貿易中心，出錢出力從無怨言。

多年來我們和葛蘭伉儷走遍亞洲各國，北京、上海、台北、新加坡让他大開眼界，感受亞裔文化之溫暖和震撼。.

葛蘭和金諾威我們大家正籌備在國際區筹建一百八十個單位的老人公寓，其最大目的是為老人們能度過一个安逸之晚年，我們將會繼續努力來完成他的遺志。

葛蘭不但是我的事業伙伴，更是無話不談的好兄弟，每當有人遭到困難，他總是伸出援手，他還有最大的優點之一是從來不遲到，所有大小集會他是最準時出席，向大家微笑握手。

我也立即向惠特曼市長報告了這項不幸消息,葛蘭是市長堅定又慷慨之支持者，好弟兄走了,我躲在書房中執筆追思, 淚水浸濕桌面 ,人生如夢。葛蘭走完了他充滿熱情活力精彩的一生，希望他在另外一個世界安息。

Mourning Our Dear Friend And Brother Glen Gondo

I received a call from Katy, Glen’s wife, and a sad voice told me that Glen had passed away last night. In just a few months, he finally couldn’t overcome the challenge of his illness and completed his walk of a colorful seventy-six years of life.
His smile and generous spirit of helping people will always live in our hearts.
I first met Glen in the late 80’s at the Tokyo Garden Restaurant in Houston which was run by his family. At that time, this restaurant was full of Japanese flavor and was already the most important place for political and business gatherings in Houston, Texas. I was often invited to participate in various political and business activities, especially Asian political gatherings.
Over the years, Glen has established more than 600 Japanese sushi restaurants and has become a very successful businessman. He named himself the “Sushi Man."

Twenty years ago, Glen joined us to establish the Houston International Trade Center as a non-profit organization to serve our community.We also traveled all over Asia together to such places as Beijing, Taipei and Singapore to share our brotherly friendship and to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of Asian culture.
Glen and Jim Noteware and I formed a company to build a seniors apartment project in the International District. Even though we have faced many challenges, we will continue to work hard on the project to complete Glen's legacy.

Glen has not just been my dear friend and brother, he is our business partner. Whenever someone is in trouble, he always lends a helping hand.
Tonight, I am here in front of my desk to write a remembrance for Glen as tears run down and soak my face. Life is like a dream.
Glen has finished his energetic and enthusiastic life. We hope he will rest in peace in another world.