A Farewell message for Hock-Lye Ooi (Grand Master Ooi)

Today our community has lost someone very important. He was a man who shaped, mentored and guided many. He gave meaning to existence beyond martial arts. His passing leaves a big void behind for many.

He was a man of many skills and talents and more importantly, one with great wisdom. His discipline and his strength are woven into his community and everyone he knew. Those who knew him and learned from him will carry on his legacy.

Grandmaster Ooi was not just a coach, he was a father figure, mentor, and friend to so many who crossed his path. It was an honour to have him in your life.

Everyone who knows him has a remarkable story to tell no matter how young or old. They are all stories of his profound impact on their lives.

We also want to honor the Ooi family who have been affected the most by this loss.

To Ing Ooi, Yonge Ooi and Sun Ooi. You are the story that keeps this legacy and name alive amongst us. We pray for your healing and strength.

And to the rest of the family, his Brother Peter Ooi, his Sister Magdalene Francis and all his cousins including his very close cousin Juliana Gee. May they all find peace and comfort in his memories.

Grand Master Ooi’s Story:

Master Ooi was born June 7, 1952 in Malaysia.
In Singapore, he joined the military, where he began his teaching journey, training active military personnel and he served in the police force.

His travels took him to many places including Hong Kong and Korea before he arrived in the United Kingdom in late 1973 to start his first Taekwondo/Tang Soo Do class in a small church hall in Hackney, East London.

Ooi’s Taekwondo-Tang Soo Do was founded January 18, 1974 with only six students. From 1974 to mid- 1985, with the help of his students, Ooi’s Taekwondo-Tang Soo Do expanded throughout London and into Surrey and Kent.

His greatest passion as an instructor was this period in England. It could be argued that at that time some of the best Tang Soo Do fighters in England came from his school.

Today many of these students are instructors themselves, running their own schools and attributing their success stories to their Grand Master.

It was a difficult decision to leave England to move to Canada with his wife and 2-year old daughter, Yonge, in 1985.

Interestingly, he spent some time with Stevie Wonder in Los Angeles and considered settling in the United States to teach and work in personal protection. Instead, the family settled in Mississauga where his second daughter, Sun, was born and where his teaching legacy continued.

In Canada, some of his experiences included being the lead instructor of self-defence for the police force, being invited to coach the Canadian Olympic team and even being sought after by General Choi, founder of the International Taekwondo Federation, who wanted to recruit him for his organization.

Ooi’s Taekwondo was more than just a gym, it was a family. A family that has spread across the world from Thailand to Malaysia, from England and France to the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean, and throughout North America.

Students would train, life would pull them away, but when they returned it was like coming home.
Such was the bond that was formed.

He taught us all to be warriors, not just by kicking and punching, but to fight against life’s hardships. To never give up and to always do your best.

Grand Master Ooi was a teacher until the very end, but most importantly he was a loving husband and father for his family.

On March 14th 2025 he passed away at home, peacefully in his sleep.

Final visitation for Master Ooi will be on Saturday March 22nd from 2 to 6 pm at the address below.

Turner and Porter Funeral Home
1981 Dundas St W
Mississauga, ON
L5K 2M5