Benjamin Marks Jia Xian WOO

1991 - 2023

BENJAMIN MARKS JIA XIAN WOO 1991 - 2023 It is with heavy grief that our family shares that the warm, brilliant and endlessly creative Benjamin died unexpectedly on November 11, 2023, at Vancouver General Hospital. He was 32. Benjamin is deeply mourned by his parents, Patricia McAvity and Yuen Pau Woo; siblings, Naomi (Anton), Emma and Noah; and grandparents, Marks and Margaret McAvity. Benjamin was predeceased by grandparents, Mong Swee Fong and Woo Hon Thoong. He is missed by aunts, uncles, cousins and family in Canada, the US, the UK, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as friends worldwide. Benjamin was born in St. John's, Newfoundland. After moving to North Vancouver at age 4, he attended École Sherwood Park, Sir Winston Churchill High School and the Vancouver Academy of Music. He studied philosophy, cognition, brain and behavior at Harvard, completed a Master's Degree in piano performance at the New England Conservatory of Music, and began law school. He was a volunteer for the St. James Music Academy, music director of the Din & Tonics, conductor for the Harvard Mozart Society Orchestra, a DJ for college radio stations, a member of the Signet Society, and was involved in numerous musical, theatrical, film and academic projects. In addition to his mastery of the piano - including winning numerous national competitions - he sang, conducted, played cello, composed, improvised, and in recent years, was learning to play the oud. Beyond his accomplishments, Benjamin was defined most of all by love, rooted in a deep connection to his family. To Naomi, he was a treasured collaborator; to Emma, a playful debater; to Noah, an adoring advocate. He valued his parents and grandparents as his greatest champions; to them, he was a cherished companion. Benjamin's gentleness, effusive kindness, generosity, and concern for others was unwavering. He was willing to engage with anyone, including those commonly overlooked by society. Those who wish to honour him are encouraged to do the same. In lieu of flowers, we would like to encourage donations to the Benjamin Marks Woo Memorial Fund at the Vancouver Foundation. American friends can donate directly to the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (libd.org) or to the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia (hacenter.org) in memory of Benjamin Woo. We invite you to offer condolences, listen to Benjamin's music, and share your memories at www.benjaminmarkswoo.com, where you will find more information and suggestions on how to advocate for improvement in British Columbia's medical care system. A funeral was held on Monday, December 4th at 2:00 p.m. PST at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, with a reception afterwards. A livestream link is available at: thecathedral.ca