Christopher Pak-Wang Chan was born in Hong Kong on December 5, 1948 to Tsang Fu and Pui Yue Chan. He was the middle child to older sister Christine (3 years) and younger brother Charles (7 years). In 1957 his father accepted a job in Malaysia so the whole family relocated to Kuala Lumpur when Chris was 8 years old. After completing Form 5 at St. Gabriel Secondary School Chris then completed 3 years of training at Kolej Vokasional Ipoh, a public vocational college based in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. His education was taught in English and Malay so he never formally learned how to read or write Chinese although he was proficient in spoken Cantonese. Chris later attended a 3-year program at the Flying and Technical School at the Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong. He found work as an auto mechanic at the Volkswagen and Porsche dealership in Hong Kong. When Chris was in Hong Kong he attended Hop Yat Church / Church of Christ in China where he was introduced to many lifelong friends.

Chris’ parents were not native to Malaysia so he was unable to rejoin them as a citizen. A chance opportunity allowed him to immigrate to Toronto, Canada in 1973. His brother Charles followed in 1975 and his parents arrived in 1979. His sister Christine and her family moved to Florida, back to Malaysia and then settled in Perth, Australia where they continue to live today. Chris’ parents passed away in Toronto in 1990 and 1992.

Chris met his wife Martina in 1974 through an uncle’s family in Toronto. Interestingly, Chris’ father had worked as an accountant for a fabric store in Hong Kong in the 1950s that was co-owned by Martina’s father and Chris’ grand-uncle. Chris and Martina were married in 1976 in Toronto. They have two children, Jason who was born in 1980 and Vanessa who was born in 1984. Vanessa married Simon Barcelon in 2016. Chris’ first grandchild Graydon was born in 2017, followed by Nara in 2019 and Brixton in 2021.

Chris worked as an Auto Service Advisor in Toronto from 1973 until he retired in 2009, at the age of 60, for health reasons. He worked for many different car dealerships over the span of 36 years including Ford, Mercedes, Acura, Chrysler and Volkswagen. He remained with City Buick Chevrolet Cadillac GMC in North York for 12 years.

Chris was athletic and loved playing sports all his life. In particular he enjoyed playing basketball, table tennis, badminton and golf. He also enjoyed singing karaoke with friends and family, and traveling all over the world.

In 2009 Chris was diagnosed with Dementia at the age of 60. In July, 2017 he was referred by a neurologist to do more studies on his illness that confirmed that he had a rare progressive neurodegenerative disease known as Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration. Martina provided care for him at their home as his condition slowly worsened. They traveled as much as they could while he was still mobile, including trips to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Hong Kong to visit family.

Back in Toronto Chris was enrolled at the CareFirst adult day program that provided him with activities to stimulate his mind. These were some of the happiest times in his later life. He moved to Shepherd Lodge Long Term Care in March 2018. He adjusted very well to his new life at Shepherd Lodge. He enjoyed every meal at his new home and was often offered extra portions of meals to satisfy his appetite! He never complained about his situation, got along well with staff and residents, and was well known and well liked, just as he had been for his entire life.

The family was fortunate enough to hire a personal support worker, Dover, who cared for Chris on a daily basis. Throughout the Covid pandemic, when family was not allowed to visit in person, Dover continued to provide personal care and companionship 7 days a week. The family is eternally grateful.

Surrounded by his loving family Chris passed away peacefully on the evening of April 18, 2023 due to complications related to the end stage of Dementia. He is survived by his wife Martina, son Jason, daughter & son-in-law Vanessa & Simon, and three grandchildren Graydon, Nara and Brixton.

He will be remembered fondly for his friendly, quiet, and easy-going disposition.