We are deeply saddened to announce that John T. Ma (马大任) passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021. He left us peacefully, in his sleep. John was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on February 22, 1920. He was the second son of the well-known calligrapher Ma Gung-Yu (马公愚) and Huang Xiang-Zhuan (黄香篆). John had many fond memories of his younger years growing up in the multigenerational family home of the “Jie Yuan Fu” (解远府) on Bailifang (百里坊) street. He delighted us with stories of his childhood antics and sporting endeavors, and of how he would enjoy inventing games and activities with his brothers and cousins. They even started their own magazine. Were it not for the fact that many of his teachers were his father’s former students, John’s practical jokes would likely have gotten him expelled from school. After completing middle school in Wenzhou, John travelled with 2 classmates to Shanghai to take the entrance exam of Shanghai High School, the top ranked high school in China at that time. He was the only student from Wenzhou to pass the entrance exam that year. Before completing high school, however, John’s desire to defend his country against the Japanese invasion and “serve his fellow man” inspired him to leave school and join the army. With his father’s approval, he interrupted his studies and left Shanghai to join the First Army War Area Service Corps (第一军) in 1938. After resuming his studies as an English major in Chongqing, he volunteered to serve again in 1941 and became an interpreter/code man for General Claire Chennault, who established the American Volunteer Group (AVG), later widely known as the Flying Tigers for their historic air battles against the Japanese. After graduating in the Top 10 of his class from the Chongqing Post-graduate School of Journalism and having worked for a year at the International Department of the Central Ministry of Information, John was entitled to receive a scholarship to pursue advanced studies in the U.S. He left China in the summer of 1947, already eager to return in a few years with more knowledge and skills to further serve his country. While pursuing his studies in New York City, John was introduced to his future wife, May Hoo (胡明). They married in 1959 and spent 61 years together in New York, California, and the Netherlands. Though John and May came from different backgrounds, they were in complete agreement when it came to raising their children and did their utmost to ensure they had the best possible education and upbringing. John continued his boyhood fondness for sports throughout his life, playing tennis and ping pong into his 70s and 80s, continuing to defeat much younger opponents. On one occasion, even his grandson! John was active until the very end, practicing calligraphy daily, directing the nonprofit Books for China that he founded, playing mahjong with his good friends, and ‘driving’ around Alameda in his red scooter, proudly sporting his Flying Tigers cap. John will be remembered for his abundantly generous and joyful nature. He was always ready with a story and joke for every occasion, always more than happy to offer a helping hand, and remained curious to the very end. He was a loving and dedicated father and grandfather, and a kind and trustworthy friend. Despite his many years abroad, John was keen to spend as much time as he could in China. He was happy to visit family and friends in Wenzhou, Shanghai and Beijing through the years, making his last trip to China in 2016. He may not have fulfilled his original goal of returning home after his advanced studies in the US, but even from overseas he did as much as he could to help improve the lives of those he left behind and missed so dearly. John faced multiple health challenges during the past year and though he fought diligently as always, he slipped away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his beloved family. He is survived by his son Averil (马一公), his daughters Carol (马一香) and Debora (马一平), his daughter-in-law Barbara, his son-in-law Marco, and his grandchildren Ashley (马天丽) and Kevin (马天文). No public memorial service will be held due to the Covid pandemic. A virtual celebration of John’s long and rich life will be announced. As a tribute to a man who spent a lifetime helping others, a memorial picnic table will be placed in his favorite Shoreline Park in Alameda so that others may also share in this beautiful view and enjoy happy times with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: https://everloved.com/life-of/john-ma/donate/.