In the early morning of March 10, 2021, Chin-Mu Chang succumbed to his long fight against liver cancer. His resolute character that saw him through the years was instilled from the beginning. He was born on April 9, 1935, in Seoul, Korea, and grew up in a time where Korea and the world faced economic difficulties and global conflict. The fourth child of Chang-Hee (father) and Hee-Yul, the talents, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of the family members served them through this turbulent era, with Chin-Mu’s talents being in languages and singing voice.

Chin-Mu graduated from Kyongdong High School, then the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (class of ’57) with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature. He then embarked on a career in the world of international trade. By 1969, he’d married his beautiful bride, Kyung-Suk (nee Yu), and they welcomed their son, Chiang-Su (Rick), on Chin-Mu’s birthday in 1970.

The young family began their international migration, as his employer, the Far East Trading Company, assigned him to a posting in Guam. From there, they would move to their eventual home, Toronto, in early 1972. Solidifying their roots in Canada came with the birth of their daughter, Elfreda, in the autumn of 1972.

A member of the United Church, the association began because of the important role the Korean United Church played for families new to Canada. Of course, his younger sister, Young-Ja Shin, and her family would be the other important pillar throughout his life in Toronto, which included brother in law Hwa-Seung Shin, and their children, Julia, Judy, and Brian.

Employment in Toronto was with the Scarborough Board of Education, where he moved to his eventual position as a mechanic with their vehicle maintenance and repair centre. This was possible because of his drive to improve his qualifications and he quickly earned credentials in instrumentation, and then automotive mechanics. This also meant that he was called upon by friends and family to fix just about anything mechanical. He retired from the newly amalgamated Toronto District School Board in 2001.

Retirement years were filled with golf, travel, and eventually fun times with his grandsons. He will be sorely missed by his wife, son Rick (Marla McAlpine), daughter Elfreda (Joel Planert), and her sons, Grayson, and Keaton.

Due to Covid restrictions, a private funeral service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (GI Clinic) in honour of Chin-Mu Chang.