The death of a concrete pump operator in an industrial accident last monday had an impact on hundreds in the construction industry. 50-year-old Greg Wong was considered one of the best in the business.

The president of American Standard Concrete Pumping Hawaii says Wong's family and his co-workers continue to mourn his death.

The truck that Greg Wong operated for years sits idle at the company's, just the way he left it.

"He would come in and wax the frame of the truck. He was so dedicated to his craft and to be excellent that when he pulled this truck onto the job site everybody was Wow," said Gregory Perrin, President of American Standard Concrete Pumping Hawaii. "Greg Wong was in my opinion the real deal."

It was a week ago, when the 50-year-old Wong was fatally injured while working at the Moana Vista condominium project. Witnesses say a strap on a nearby tower crane somehow came into contact with the boom of Wong's concrete pumper and he was struck in the face. His youngest son was working at his side at the time of the accident.

"When the phone rang and I was notified that we had a man down -- that is the worst phone call I ever had." recalled Perrin. "It was a tragic situation and truly it was an accident."

During his 30-year career Wong worked for three of Hawaii's top concrete pumping companies.

"And those three companies have pretty much placed the concrete on every major project -- as well as thousands of individual contractors and homeowners," said Perrin. "It made him one of the elite few in the country"

He was a great teacher who shared his knowledge with young operators.

"The calls and the condolences that are coming in from all across the state, people who are grieving his loss in our entire industry I've had calls from all across the country," said Perrin. "He touched a lot of lives."

Wake services are set for Monday June 23rd.
Funeral services are scheduled for June 24th at Mililani Mortuary.
A fund has been set up to help with the family's expenses. Donations can be made at any American Savings branch.

"He was in inspiration to us all," said Perrin. "We're going to miss him, he was definitely one of the best."

Wong is survived by his wife and five children.

 

By Ron Mizutani