Dragonair founder Chao Kuang-piu passed away last week at the ripe old age of 100.
He was very successful in his commercial endeavors, and also earned the accolade of "patriotic businessman."
Remarkably, many members of his family have been just as outstanding.
Having led such a life, Chao should have no regrets.
He always kept a low profile - the only time he interacted closely with the media was when he was setting up Dragonair during the last century.
Other members of his family have been just as low-key, seldom appearing at public events, yet many of them command substantial clout in the political and business sectors.
Apart from Chao, I have also met second-generation family members Ronald Chao Kee-young, Susana Chou Kei-jan and Silas Chou Kei-fong.
About three decades ago, the family's Novel Enterprises went public - an exercise that was led by Ronald Chao.
At the time, I was among a big group of business reporters who he took to Macau to see the group's production lines there.
On that trip, we also met Susana Chou, who headed the family's operations in the enclave.
She was a member of the Macau legislative assembly on top of managing the family's businesses there, which span a wide range of endeavors, including a factory that made popsicles.
Ronald Chao and brother Silas Chou are both nice and kind, and there is always a smile on their faces.
Ronald Chao takes care of the family business, and Silas Chou is a venture capitalist who frequently flies around the world to tend to his projects.
When Silas Chou started out in the venture capital field, many business reporters didn't even know what the sector was about. Over the years, he invested in many brand names, such as Tommy Hilfiger, and made substantial profits in the process.
While he makes money in astronomical figures, I was told his favorite food is a simple bowl of rice flavored with soy sauce.
Siu Sai-wo is publisher of Sing Tao Daily
