Obituaries

DAVID KAI LAM FAN

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and a loyal friend, David Kai Lam Fan passed away peacefully in his home during the early hours of December 29, 2019, at the age of 86.

David was born near Guangzhou, China in November 1933. He grew up in the poverty-stricken years of the Second World War and Japanese occupation. Seeing limited opportunities for her younger son, David’s mother urged him to leave China for a better life.  With the clothes on his back and $3 in his pocket, he set off for Hong Kong.  He immediately found a delivery job that he turned into a 22-year career, rising through the ranks from delivery boy to general manager. Through one of his delivery routes to the hospital, he met Sandy, whom he married in 1964.

In 1974, David started his own business while keeping his day job. Together with Sandy working as a nurse, they raised their five children with the same sense of responsibility and honour that they themselves practiced. Hoping that Canada would offer a better future for his children, he moved his whole family to Canada in 1984.

Since arriving in Winnipeg, David made many new friends through his business and community involvements.  It is no secret that he was a man of passion, whether it was working, golfing, dancing or eating; he wholeheartedly threw himself and everyone around him into whatever events he was involved with. Everyone who knows David knows of his passion for food.

After his diagnosis of lung cancer several years ago, many doctors and healthcare professionals have come into the family’s life. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Luk, Dr. Tan, Dr. Paul, other doctors, nurses and other care personnel at CancerCare Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre.  It was because of their steadfast care that David enjoyed these last years with those he loved.

David is survived by his wife Sandy Sin Hung; children Alice (Randy Kehler), Beatrice, Catherine (David Birch), Daisy (Juan Hinestroza), Edward (Bonnie Tse); and grandchildren Emily Birch and Larissa Kehler.

A generous, optimistic and giving man, David is deeply loved by his family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.

To honour David’s appreciation of food and friends, a celebration of David’s life will be held at Kum Koon Garden Restaurant, 257 King Street, on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Remarks will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the eulogy delivered at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. To assist the restaurant with planning, please email celebratedavid2020@gmail.com by Thursday, January 2, 2020 should your plans include an evening with friends over dinner.