Albert Chih Chiang Chan

ALBERT CHIH CHIANG CHAN April 20, 1940 - November 17, 2020 Age: 80 has been called home to be with the Lord Dearly missed and forever remembered by loved ones: Beloved Wife: Siew-Harn Leung Daughter: Bernice Yi Chan Son-in-law: Walter Pecora Grandson: Massimo Vincenzo Xiang He Pecora Granddaughter: Celeste Lidia Ying Qi Pecora Sisters: Stella Chan Mulkern and Katherine Yip Brother-in-laws: Tony Mulkern and Roland Yip Nephews: Russell Chan and Le-Xian Yip Niece: Cui-Shan Yip Uncle: Yen Park Chan Aunt: Diana Chan Aunts, cousins, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and friends. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 It is with great sadness we share the loss of Albert Chih Chiang Chan, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. He will be forever remembered for his gift as a talented artist, love of the wild west, and his devotion to his family which was the pride of his life. Albert was born to Yen Cheong and Annie Chan in Singapore, 1940. Soon after he was born, the first bombs of world war II fell on the tiny island country in 1942. Although he was only two, he had vivid vignettes of the Japanese occupation of Malaysia (then Malaya) of which Singapore was a constituent part. Albert spent many of his formative years in Endau, Johore in Malaysia, where his English educated Chinese parents were sent by the Japanese administration. While conditions were poor, food was often scarce, and Albert was afflicted with chronic kidney disease, he was still able to experience some enjoyable moments with his sister Stella and Uncle Yen Park (YP) Chan, whom he regarded as a close brother. In 1947, Albert’s family welcomed his youngest sister Katherine, of whom he was always proud for being the most academically qualified member of the family. After the war, Albert and his family returned to Singapore where he and his Uncle YP attended the prestigious Methodist institution Anglo-Chinese School, or ACS. It was during these years that Albert would join the Boy Scouts where he would achieve the rank of First Class. It was also here that the seeds of his passion for the Wild West were sewn, often playing ‘cowboys and indians’ with his friends. While school academics were at times a struggle for Albert, he would often punctuate his misery by getting up to harmless mischief with his 8 male cousins (aka The Jurong Bunch), whom he frequently visited at his uncle’s farm in the Jurong district. After toiling mightily over his Senior Cambridge exams in 1956, he would eventually graduate from ACS with a Grade I result and a distinction for art. The Class of 1957 comprised many classmates who went on to have their own distinguished careers and with whom he maintained life-long friendships. After graduation, Albert began his career in advertising. First with Masters Ltd, Singapore‘s leading advertising agency at the time, where he was groomed and trained. By the end of his apprenticeship at Masters, the company had been acquired by the British ad agency SH Benson, headquartered in London. As a result of his determination and incredible talent as an artist, he rose through the ranks and was made Account Director of the company, overseeing international clients such as Cartier, Pepsi-Cola and Fanta. Albert also worked for British Petroleum as marketing manager. Albert's responsibilities took him to Russia, East Berlin, London, Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. His work afforded him the opportunity to meet with government officials, ministers of state and the Sultan of Johore. In his later years he would continue to prosper under Tay Tatt Cheng at Asatsu, Cam Associates. It was in London that Albert met the love of his life, Siew-Harn Leung. They wed on May 28, 1966, in Singapore and were married for 54 eventful years. They had a daughter, Bernice Yi, who was the apple of her father’s eye. The family enjoyed much time and travel together, which took them across the globe to Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia and to North America. One particularly memorable trip Albert took was with his family to Kenya, Africa, where on safari he would see the wild animals that often served as inspiration for many of his pencil drawings. It was on yet another trip to North America that he and Siew-Harn were shown around Vancouver, BC by his kind and hospitable Uncle Christopher Leung, Aunt May and their family. He was so impressed by the beauty and splendour of Vancouver’s scenery and its people that he immediately fell in love with the city. The family would eventually move to Vancouver in 1980. With the help of his old ACS classmate Lee Boon Siong and his wife, Albert was able to establish himself and his family in a new country, fostering many friendships and lasting memories to all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Albert was an incredible artist, whose pencil drawings fascinated and delighted many. His subjects ranged from African animals and portraits (many of his daughter Bernice), to action scenes of horses and cowboys, inspired by his passion for the history and adventure of the Wild West. Albert had boundless energy in his younger days. It was in Vancouver that he nurtured his long-standing love for the Wild West, often going on horseback expeditions to Squamish and Sundance Guest Ranch in Ashcroft BC. It was not unusual to see Albert, the Asian cowboy, dressed in full cowboy regalia going riding! A highlight of his passion was a trip to the Alamo with his brother at heart, Uncle YP. He belonged to the Thunderbird Fast Draw Club in Langley, BC and enjoyed going to the Calgary Stampede in Alberta. He was a cowboy at heart and we’re certain he’s riding into heaven on a horse. During the span of his life, his other passions included fencing, badminton, archery, and cross-country skiing. He loved golfing at the Singapore Island Country Club, swimming and watching movies at the Singapore Tanglin Club with his daughter, and going on boating excursions. In the area of Fine Arts, Albert also very much appreciated classical music, played the piano and taught himself to play the violin. In his twilight years, his grandchildren Celeste and Enzo brought him absolute joy as they entertained him with tales of their school adventures and kept him company playing board games such as Monopoly. He was thankful to his son-in-law Walter for being a kind, thoughtful and dependable partner to Bernice. We can say that Albert lived his life to the fullest, and was a true modern day Renaissance Man, who can now rest in peace for a life well lived. His memory will forever remain in our hearts. Funeral service will be held at West Vancouver United Church 2062 Esquimalt Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1S4 Friday 27 November 2020 at 11:00 am And thereafter for cremation at McKenzie Squamish Crematorium In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. https://lghfoundation.com/donate/