A food proprietor popular with students at National Chung Cheng University passed away last week, leaving many to reflect warmly on how he had touched their lives.
For nearly 10 years Hung Hsin-chung (洪信中) ran a sausage stand in front of the university in Chiayi County.
Hung, who was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Sausage,” was well known to students, who often talked to him at length about their classes, feelings or concerns about the future, as he listened intently and offered guidance.
On Thursday, Hung passed away at the age of 51, triggering an outpouring of emotions from students and friends alike, who filled his Facebook page with warm and heartfelt messages.
“Thank you for letting me meet another good proprietor while studying in Chiayi,” one poster wrote.
“The university’s best barbecue chicken,” another one wrote.
A close friend of Hung’s, nicknamed “Brother Pao” (寶哥), said: “He was given a bad lot in life, but doing business allowed him to share his experience, and to guide and encourage students.”
Sun Ke-kang (孫克剛), who took a break from his studies in Taiwan last year and is now attending college in Los Angeles, recalled asking Hung for advice when he had doubts about studying abroad.
Sun said Hung’s terse answer — “what are you afraid of” — encouraged him to go ahead with his plan.
Hung, who contracted polio in his youth, could only travel short distances using a modified three-wheel scooter and often lamented that he could not take a long-distance trip somewhere.
Brother Pao said he plans to help Hung realize his dream by going on an islandwide tour on his motorbike.
Chuang I-hsuan (莊逸軒), a student who worked part-time with Hung, said Hung lived alone in a rented apartment and had for nearly two weeks complained of chest pains and trouble breathing.
On Wednesday, although he felt sick, Hung worked until 1am.
Chuang said when he tried to call Hung the next morning, there was no answer. At 2pm he went to check on Hung and could see through a crack in the doorway that all of his work equipment was still inside. Chuang called police and firefighters, who entered Hung’s home through a neighbor’s apartment. They found Hung sprawled on the floor next to a wooden chair. An examination on Friday revealed that he died of a heart attack.
Hung’s relatives in Tainan came immediately to take care of his affairs. A funeral has been scheduled for 8am on Sunday at the Chiayi City Mortuary Services Office.
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