Au died on Sunday at age 84.
Mayor Tom O’Brien had high praise for Au, noting that he always had time to talk to people and did so with a smile on his face, whether it was in the restaurant or out on the street.
Mr. Au opened his restaurant, specializing in Chinese and Canadian cuisine, in May 1969 and ran it for many years up to the passing of his first wife Mary.
The couple had four children: Mai Lin, Donald, Carol and Ruby.
Mr. Au returned to Stephenville a number of years after with his second wife Ping and operated the restaurant pretty well right up to the time of his passing.
O’Brien said there is no doubt that Mr. Au was a big part of the history of Stephenville as he was one of the businesspeople who showed he had commitment in the long-term viability of the town, opening his restaurant shortly after the closing of the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base.
“He put his faith in the town when some others were leaving and that restaurant is still operating today,” the mayor said.