Obituary of Dr. Yuk Keung Chan 陳毓强先生
In Loving Memory of Yuk Keung Chan
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Yuk Keung Chan, a devoted father, husband, respected physician, and an enthusiast of Chinese poetry and calligraphy. He departed this world on October 6, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and his colleagues in the medical community.
Dr. Chan was born on October 7, 1940 in Rangoon, Burma. He immigrated to China in 1942 and then to Hong Kong in 1949 where he attended Pui Ching Middle School. In 1959, he joined the Taiwan National Defense Medical Center, where he completed his medical school training with top honours. His medical training continued afterwards with internships at the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, USA and then subsequently at St. John’s Hospital in Newfoundland, Canada. In 1970, he accepted a residency at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, ON where he also married his sweetheart, Rebecca Wong (Wong Chai Yin). Together with his new wife, he began his professional career as a medical officer in Hermitage, Newfoundland, Canada and later moved with their newborn child to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He set roots in Sudbury, growing his family with the additions of a daughter and a second son. Later, as an empty nester, he moved to Markham, Ontario in 2002 where he retired shortly afterwards.
Throughout his career of almost 40 years, he treated countless patients through sickness, injury, or childbirth, earning their trust and gratitude with his unwavering commitment to their well-being.
Beyond the pursuit of his medical career, Dr. Chan had a profound love for Chinese poetry; he often found solace in the verses of ancient poets like Li Bai, whose words resonated deeply with him. His passion for Chinese poetry was not just a personal indulgence; he shared this love with his family and friends, often reciting or writing his own verses that brought beauty and contemplation into their lives.
As a father, Dr. Chan imparted invaluable life lessons to his children, instilling in them the values of empathy, integrity, and a thirst for knowledge. He encouraged them to explore their own passions and shared his love of the outdoors and nature with them. He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca (Wong) and their children, John, Helen and Tom, and Tom’s wife Shirley (Teng) and their children Marcus and Abigail. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the patients that he cared for.
A celebration of Dr. Chan's life will be held on Friday, October 13th at Ogden Funeral Home located at 4164 Sheppard Ave E. in Scarborough, Ontario at 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
As we bid farewell to a remarkable man who is loved deeply by his family and friends, let us remember the words of the poem "过零丁洋" (Guò Líng Dīng Yáng) by Wen Tianxiang, which reflects on the impermanence of life and the importance of making the most of every moment. Dr. Chan will forever be our guiding light, inspiring us to embrace the beauty of the written word and the healing power of compassion.
May he rest in peace, and may his spirit continue to inspire us all.
