Wing-Kee Chan, 71, died on February 19, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 17, 1952 in Kampar, Malaysia. He expressed fondness for his childhood in a close-knit family with many siblings and cousins to wreak havoc with. After coming to Canada and graduating from the University of Alberta, he made the most of his bachelor life living all around the world, working as an expat and in true Wing-Kee fashion, made friends with everyone he met. When he moved back to Calgary, he met the love of his life, Kathy. She became his constant companion and was by his side through many adventures, raising their kids, traveling, eating good food and always laughing.
They went on to have two children, Sam and Victoria. Above anything else, he loved being a dad and he was great at it. He was involved in every activity with his kids from basketball to camping, leading the local scout troop, and often he played just as hard or harder than all the kids. He was a compassionate Rotarian for many years and was involved in the student exchange program where his family hosted nine exchange students over the years.
The family expanded with the arrival of two amazing daughters-in-law, Courtney and Lauren. He really loved them, and they loved him back. Those two were like his partners in crime, always keeping him on his toes and ready for some good banter.
Moving to Victoria, BC after retirement allowed him year-round access to his favorite activities; cycling and fly fishing. He went on countless fishing trips with friends and put thousands of kilometers on his road bike.
You could always count on Wing-Kee to walk into a room and create a spectacle, spark a curious conversation, make a child laugh (or cry) and have little regard for how loud he was speaking. His irresistible charm, caring nature and borderline inappropriate humor were boundless, filling every occasion with life and love.
He will never be forgotten by those who knew him and dearly missed by those that he loved.
There will be a celebration of life held in March. If you would like to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, please consider the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. Blessed to have had the privilege of meeting him He has left a legacy of stories that will always bring laughter and a smile to you all. Our sincere condolences on his loss.
I was so saddened to see this news. My thoughts are with those left behind. Sending you love. May Wing-Kee Rest In Peace. We were privileged to know him. Life is too short. 💕
Wing Kee was always fun to be with . We are all going to miss him
Dear Kathy and family, Wing Kee an honest to goodness, unpretentious cousin and friend. But most importantly, loving, caring, giving husband and father. We will all miss his smile and laughter. Peace of the Lord be with him and may the family be consoled by the precious love and memories of him. Love from Kwan and Yat.
He was an amazing person, giving his best to all the people around him, I had the chance to meet him as an exchange student and he made my year special, you change many peoples life!!
It was such a honor and a pleasure to know Wing-Kee Chan.
He lived such a full life and he will be missed by many
But his spirit will live on forever.
Lesley and Martin.
Kathy, we are extremely sad to hear this news. Our hearts are with you.
Jim and I had the privilege of getting to know Wing-Kee and his lovely family when we very fortuitously bought a condo on the same floor as Wing-Kee and Kathy. He has been taken from this life far too soon but Wing-Kee was the embodiment of “a life well-lived.” We will miss him greatly.
Kathy. What a shock to read about your loss of your amazing husband/soulmate and father to your beautiful kids and in-laws. My heart knows well the feeling of loss and sadness you are facing during this difficult time. May you have strength to cherish the memories of a loving life with him and that you take time to heal your loss. Am here anytime to help.
Dear Kathy and family,
I am devastated by this news. Wing-kee was one of the most unique and colourful individuals I have ever known. Playful, energetic, passionate and filled with a boundless curiosity for the wonders of the world. I will be forever grateful for the privilege of officiating at the wedding of Wing-kee and Kathy. What a day of joy!
May you be surrounded by the wings of angels, ushering you home, dear friend!
Dear Kathy and family,
I am devastated by this news. Wing-kee was one of the most unique and colourful individuals I have ever known. Playful, energetic, passionate and filled with a boundless curiosity for the wonders of the world. I will be forever grateful for the privilege of officiating at the wedding of Wing-kee and Kathy. What a day of joy!
May you be surrounded by the wings of angels, ushering you home, dear friend!
Dear Kathy,
I wanted to reach out to offer my deepest condolences. Even though it’s been a while since we last saw each other, please know that you’re in my thoughts during this difficult time. You have been on my mind and in my thoughts for some time now as I’ve been in Tofino for a couple of weeks and I’ve been wanting to contact you. When I saw your posting my heart sank knowing this just happened. If there’s anything I can do to support you, please don’t hesitate to let me know – I am on the island for awhile longer. I wish you and your family the strength and comfort during this time. You are in my prayers.
With grace
What a wonderful man. He will be hugely missed. Rest in peace, Wing Kee. I am sure you are making them laugh in you new home. God bless you and Kathy.
Nobody could tell a funnier story than Wing Ke. He blessed the world with kindness and love. May the memories and the warmth he brought to so many in his unique perspective give your family much comfort today and into the future.
Love Wilma
Dear Kathy and family
We only knew Wing-Kee for a short period.
His smile was infectious and we are thinking fondly of both of you.
Sending all our love
Kornelia Eisfeld and Gary Lacey
Nanc and I send our sincerest condolences to Kathy and the Chan family. It was a great privilege to have been friends with Wing Kee. We will miss him greatly.
Kathy, Sam, Victoria, Courtney and Lauren, I am so sorry for your loss. Wing-Kee was one of a kind. I had the great pleasure to work with him for many years. He was so kind and always willing to help anyone out. He made me laugh so much. I feel honored to have spent so much time with him. I will miss him so much!
Kathy, Sam, Victoria and Family, Our sincerest condolences on your devastating loss. Wing Kee was such a bright and energetic soul. He had such a full life, and so many adventures with those he loved. I’m sure his heart was full, as above all, he was devoted family man. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Dear Kathy and family,
Our deepest condolences to you and family. We share your grief. God be with you and family at this moment and always.
Tharuma and family
My deepest and sincerest condolences to Kathy, Sam and Victoria from a childhood friend from Kampar now residing in Singapore.
My wife and I send you and the wider family our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Wing Kee. A bereavement is grievous, especially so for one who was loving and was dearly loved.
Wing Kee and I were in the same cohort in Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh from 1964 to 1969. We used to call him ‘Herman’ after his likeness to that character in the Munsters. All through secondary school, this was a sobriquet he responded to better than his birthname. What a bag of laughs those days were.
With fond and unfading memories of a dear friend.
Just learned of Wing Kee’s passing through Martin Tesink, one of their exchange students. Wing Kee was such a positive, vivacious Rotarian. He always had a certain enthusiasm and we were all sorry when he left to move to Victoria. A great Rotarian and a wonderful guy!!
Kathy, I only knew Wing Kee from university days and a few brief encounters in the years following at class reunions. Your description of his character is spot on and made me both laugh and cry. I hope he is around when it it my turn to go as he has certainly brighten my life.
I first met Wing-Kee in Calgary in the late 80s at the O&G company where we worked together and as our professional relationship turned into a personal one, I met Kathy too. I always saw their marriage – full of laughter and excitement and respect – as something one day I hoped to experience. Kathy was Wing-Kee’s perfect foil – this tribute refers to his “borderline inappropriate humour”. I can attest to that, and occasionally it was breathtakingly so. We all loved him for it, and many times found ourselves after the fact “wishing I had said that”. Not only did Wing-Kee and I work at the same company, we got fired from the same company on the same day in February 1991. Within a day or two of our unemployment we found ourselves walking at Nose Hill Park. Someone who had been there before us was drawing words in the snow every few hundred metres. At first we did not realize the author was walking in the opposite direction, but eventually “Them Love I Hill Nose At Walks Morning” took form.
We shared miles of walking and hiking together. Sadly I have but a handful of pictures from those times, but two in particular I treasure. Taken on the start of the Centennial Ridge Trail from the Lac des Arcs end, Sam has made an appearance on the scene and has come along in a backpack carried by his dad and supervised by his mom.
One overnight backpacking trip stands out more than any. There were at least three of us, each with a dog. Wing-Kee and I tended to travel light, but our companion on that day was well-known for bringing a giant and heavy pack. When he hit the bathroom at the trailhead, we added a six-pack of beer to his load, without his knowledge of course. It was beyond funny listening to Wing-Kee wishing out loud every two or three kilometres that we had cold beer waiting for us at the campsite.
It may come as a surprise that Wing-Kee and I shared an adopted son – the mighty Macster. Mac preferred family life, so lived out his days in the Chan household and I was forced to take in a daughter – Kato. Mac became her BFF; she tried to tear most males apart, but not so with him.
Life was a wonderful thing for Wing-Kee. There were great adventures to be had, people to befriend, and funny things to laugh about. It did not matter what point in his life he was at – the world was always, always, always his oyster. He took joy in so very much. Right now, to those he’s left behind, it feels like he took all our joy with him. He’d hate that thought, and anyway, it’s not true. It’s just going to hurt a lot until joy can start to make its return, then it will hurt a little less.
I detest the word goodbye and I am not saying it now. Thank you doesn’t begin to express it Wing-Kee, but thank you for being you and thank you for never wavering in your friendship. Farewell. I will think of you many times, and may we all meet again somewhere down the road.
Kathy and family
I am so truly heartbroken for you all
Wing-kee was just the most kind person who made you laugh even when things were tough
So thankful to have known him
Love and prayers
to you Kathy 🙏💙💙
Dear Wing-kee,
After many years, I can still remember my exchange year in Calgary because your family was very wonderful and kind to me during my stay. RIP
We are so sorry for your loss. Wing-Kee was so lively and bubbly. It was an honor for us to know him. What a great loss! May he be at a better place and rest in peace! Barb and Rick
Wing-Kee was a good friend and neighbour and an inspiration to pursue a generous and positive approach to life.
We admired his sense of adventure, his confidence in what people could achieve together, his generosity and his thoughtfulness.
He loved to make people smile & laugh and he had a true talent for that.
Cathy, Sam & Victoria, you’re in our thoughts.
Kathy and family,
Lynn and I were very sorry to hear of Wing-Kee’s passing. He was such a great addition to Oakridge Scouts when he joined us with both Sam and soon after Victoria. He added immensely to the leadership group. He particularly took great pleasure in making the activities fun and exciting for the kids.
Our thoughts’ and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Peter & Lynn Heming
Calgary
Dear Kathy,
It was with great sorrow that I learned from Val Ball of Wing-Kee’s recent passing. I was truly shocked. I remember the first time I heard his name. We were working at Foothills Hospital and you told me you had started to date this new older guy… who would ever have guessed what a love story it turned out to be. Please accept my sincere thoughts for you, Sam and Victoria. With time there will be peace and the ability to remember all the joy you two shared. Be well.
Beverley Sheridan
Calgary, Alberta
Dear Kathy,
I was so sorry to hear of Wing-Kee’s passing. Having met him only a few times I was always struck by his amazing exuberance for life. I feel I knew him better through your sharing at our scrapbook meetings where you told of your travels and many wonderful experiences and showed us many, many astonishing pictures.
I know you and your family will miss him terribly but know that he will always live in you.
Nancy Singleton
Qualicum Beach, BC
Dear Kathy, Sam, and Victoria,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Win Kee tops the charts as a Boy Scout leader, and I am so grateful for his influence on my life. I wish I had a chance to thank him for all that he did for me: The advice, the example he provided, the patience…the forgiveness.
I remember one time, we were all swimming (Bowron Chain Lakes Trip). We were all warming up by a fire someone built on the shore because the water was super cold and the trip had mostly been rainy. When Win Kee (or at the time, ‘Winky’), came out of the water, we noticed the scars that he had on his chest. I remember someone asking him “what are those from?”
“I fought a bear”, Win Kee replied.
We all knew that Win Kee loved a joke, but this time, there was a sort of silence that came over all of us. With Win Kee, it truly was possible that he fought a bear. To this day, I could still be easily convinced that Win Kee fought a bear…and won.
Win Kee was larger than life: Whether it was a real bear or not, Win Kee went full steam into every challenge, a trait that I hope to embody and teach my boys.
Goodbye, Scouter Win Kee, thank you for everything.
Philip Schuman