We mourn the passing of our dear father, Ting Siu, who died at age 92 from complications of a fall at his home in Manalapan, NJ. Ting’s death was peaceful, and his children were able to be with him at his bedside. Ting was born in China and was the eldest son of Tso Fan Hsiao and S.Y. Lao. His childhood at the family compound in China was split by arduous journeys, on foot, to Hong Kong during the war years.
Later, once restrictions on Asian students were eased in the United States, Ting traveled to the United States to study chemical engineering at Lafayette University in Easton, Pennsylvania. There, he would occasionally venture to New York City to indulge in a lifelong interest in film at the Thalia movie theater on the Upper West Side. He would reminisce about the theater’s leaks and creaky chairs and was delighted to know that the Thalia shows movies to this day. Ting did not forget his studies, though, and excelled. Upon receiving his Bachelor's degree, Ting was accepted at prestigious graduate programs, including at MIT and Harvard. He accepted a scholarship for graduate work to Syracuse University, where he met his future wife, Lydia, at a party for Chinese students.
After their marriage in Syracuse, Ting and Lydia moved to New York City, where Ting embarked on his career and where they started their family. Ting used his skills in chemical engineering to manage companies in such places as Tennessee, upstate New York and New Jersey. He was a plant manager for years at Tenneco and General Foam Corporation, in Carlstadt, NJ, where he retired, after having produced numerous useful products for consumers, everything from textiles for cars to educational placemats for children. He even received a patent for a textile that helped consumers reduce static cling in their laundry!
Throughout his life, Ting nurtured his interests, with one of the most important being music. He adored old-time Italian tenors such as Carlo Buti, and once said that, in another life, he wished he could have been an orchestra conductor. He and Lydia were long-time supporters of the New York City Opera and New York Philharmonic and also enjoyed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera.
The bookshelves at home are filled with Ting’s collections on Chinese history, from books on China, the Middle Kingdom, to China, the new economic superpower. He retained a lively interest in Chinese politics and often initiated lively discussions of politics and current events with family.
Soccer was another love, both as a fan and as a player. He put up goal posts in the backyard for his children to learn at a time when soccer was a fledgling sport in the United States. The Brazilian star Pele was one of his favorite sports stars, and a highlight of his soccer fandom was watching Pele play in the United States for the first time. Ting also played goalie for his grandson, Ryan, at age 5, and encouraged Ryan’s interest in soccer. They would talk about their favorite teams in the English and Italian leagues and commiserate about standings.
He kept busy and active through the end of his life, going for daily walks, enjoying the sunshine in his backyard, caring devotedly for Lydia, and tending his house in meticulous fashion. Nothing pleased him more than to plan a banquet for family and friends at his favorite Chinese restaurant, with a glass of Prosecco to start the festivities.
Most of all, Ting was a profound family man, both for his immediate family and his siblings, for whom he maintained a lifelong affection and love. Although his sisters and brother were spread in distant places around the world, from Hong Kong to California, he was their eldest brother, maintained a lively interest in their activities, and spoke often of their doings. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lydia; his son, Michael; his daughter, Sylvia, and her partner, Kyle; grandson Ryan and his wife Elissa; and his siblings, Faye and her husband Willie, brother James and his wife Susan; sister Oiling and husband Hing Cheung, and sister Karen and husband Henry. He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia, and her husband Arthur. A memorial service is planned for a later date. We will all miss his energy, generosity, gentle smile, and the love that Ting expressed toward all.
Later, once restrictions on Asian students were eased in the United States, Ting traveled to the United States to study chemical engineering at Lafayette University in Easton, Pennsylvania. There, he would occasionally venture to New York City to indulge in a lifelong interest in film at the Thalia movie theater on the Upper West Side. He would reminisce about the theater’s leaks and creaky chairs and was delighted to know that the Thalia shows movies to this day. Ting did not forget his studies, though, and excelled. Upon receiving his Bachelor's degree, Ting was accepted at prestigious graduate programs, including at MIT and Harvard. He accepted a scholarship for graduate work to Syracuse University, where he met his future wife, Lydia, at a party for Chinese students.
After their marriage in Syracuse, Ting and Lydia moved to New York City, where Ting embarked on his career and where they started their family. Ting used his skills in chemical engineering to manage companies in such places as Tennessee, upstate New York and New Jersey. He was a plant manager for years at Tenneco and General Foam Corporation, in Carlstadt, NJ, where he retired, after having produced numerous useful products for consumers, everything from textiles for cars to educational placemats for children. He even received a patent for a textile that helped consumers reduce static cling in their laundry!
Throughout his life, Ting nurtured his interests, with one of the most important being music. He adored old-time Italian tenors such as Carlo Buti, and once said that, in another life, he wished he could have been an orchestra conductor. He and Lydia were long-time supporters of the New York City Opera and New York Philharmonic and also enjoyed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera.
The bookshelves at home are filled with Ting’s collections on Chinese history, from books on China, the Middle Kingdom, to China, the new economic superpower. He retained a lively interest in Chinese politics and often initiated lively discussions of politics and current events with family.
Soccer was another love, both as a fan and as a player. He put up goal posts in the backyard for his children to learn at a time when soccer was a fledgling sport in the United States. The Brazilian star Pele was one of his favorite sports stars, and a highlight of his soccer fandom was watching Pele play in the United States for the first time. Ting also played goalie for his grandson, Ryan, at age 5, and encouraged Ryan’s interest in soccer. They would talk about their favorite teams in the English and Italian leagues and commiserate about standings.
He kept busy and active through the end of his life, going for daily walks, enjoying the sunshine in his backyard, caring devotedly for Lydia, and tending his house in meticulous fashion. Nothing pleased him more than to plan a banquet for family and friends at his favorite Chinese restaurant, with a glass of Prosecco to start the festivities.
Most of all, Ting was a profound family man, both for his immediate family and his siblings, for whom he maintained a lifelong affection and love. Although his sisters and brother were spread in distant places around the world, from Hong Kong to California, he was their eldest brother, maintained a lively interest in their activities, and spoke often of their doings. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lydia; his son, Michael; his daughter, Sylvia, and her partner, Kyle; grandson Ryan and his wife Elissa; and his siblings, Faye and her husband Willie, brother James and his wife Susan; sister Oiling and husband Hing Cheung, and sister Karen and husband Henry. He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia, and her husband Arthur. A memorial service is planned for a later date. We will all miss his energy, generosity, gentle smile, and the love that Ting expressed toward all.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ting Yuen Siu, please visit our flower store.
Ting Yuen Siu's Guestbook
Visits: 27
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors