Family and friends of Canada's oldest head-tax payer gathered yesterday to remember his loving and accepting nature and the contribution he made to this country.

Ralph Lung Kee Lee, who died Thursday, arrived in Canada when he was just 12 years old, and like so many other Chinese Canadians, worked on the railway.

Mr. Lee was presented with his $20,000 redress cheque on his 107th birthday -- just five days before he died.

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His grandson, Leo Ing, says younger generations should remember where they came from and carry on his story for years to come.