Tom Shue Tong Chow, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the age of 91. He lived a full and vibrant life, embracing each day with optimism and purpose.

Tom was born in Guangdong, China, in 1934. In 1950, he immigrated to Canada to be with his father. In 1957, he travelled to Hong Kong, where he met his cherished wife, Jenny, with whom he shared 69 years of love and partnership. Together, they returned to Toronto where they built a new life and raised their three children: Mamie, Linda, and David.

Tom was a man of unwavering integrity, generosity, and kindness of spirit. A respected leader within the Chinese community, he warmly welcomed newcomers to Canada into his home and helped them integrate into society so they could truly thrive. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people, making friends and acquaintances wherever he went. Always quick with a warm greeting, a broad smile, and a joke or a story, Tom made everyone feel seen and welcome and never missed a chance to make others smile and laugh.

An entrepreneur at heart, Tom was known for his sharp business instincts and passion for real estate. He loved scouring the paper for new business ventures and opportunities. With a natural talent for recognizing potential, he successfully built and developed promising businesses and investments, particularly in grocery retail and restaurants. Most notable was Chow & Sons Food Market, a grocery store which ran for over 10 years in Toronto’s west end. His business successes always brought him and his family much pride and joy.

Family was the centre of Tom’s life and his greatest source of happiness. He worked tirelessly to provide his family with a wonderful life, yet never allowed work to come before time spent with those he loved most. Family was always his priority.

Alongside his devotion to family, Tom always sought new experiences of the world around him. He travelled extensively, exploring new places and embracing cultures from around the world. These experiences made him a man of many stories, which he delighted in sharing with anyone willing to listen. He also had a passion for gardening. His beautifully manicured yard was a testament to his green thumb, filled with vibrant flowers that he generously shared with others. To this day, the flowers he gave away continue to bloom in many gardens.

Curious by nature, Tom was a lifelong learner. A dictionary was never far from his side, its pages worn thin from frequent use, and he took copious notes on what he read and learned. He found joy not only in gaining knowledge, but also in passing it on to others. His enthusiasm for learning inspired his children and grandchildren and remains a lasting legacy.

Above all, Tom will be remembered for the way he lived—with generosity, curiosity, a great sense of humour, and an open heart. His love of family, hunger for knowledge, and sense of adventure live on in his children and in the many lives he touched. Though he is deeply missed, the lessons he shared, the stories he told, and the love he gave will remain with us always. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him and were fortunate enough to be touched by his life.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Jenny; his children, Mamie (Raffi), Linda (Paul), and David (Cathy); and his grandchildren, Nikki, Leah, Rachel, and Michelle.

The last 10 months of Tom’s life were spent at Advent Valleyview Residence. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff for their dedicated, kind, and compassionate care. Thank you for treating him with dignity and respect.

To send flowers to the service, orders can be made through Wintergreen Florist at http://wintergreenflorist.com.

In lieu of flowers, a tribute gift may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto at https://giving.alz.to/page/TomShueTongChow in dedication to Tom Shue Tong Chow.