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Roy Mah
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Roy Mah

Roy Mah

Roy Mah Obituary

MAH, Roy Quock Quon Passed away gently in Vancouver, BC on June 22, 2007 in his 89th year. Born on March 29, 1918 in Edmonton, Alberta, Roy was schooled in Victoria, B.C. where he began a lifelong passion to help transform Canada into a multilingual and multicultural society. During WWII, he urged fellow Chinese Canadians to join him in volunteering for service with the hopes of winning the vote for his community. After the war, Roy was instrumental in lobbying Ottawa to grant the vote to all Chinese Canadians and triumphantly voted for the first time when he was 30 years old. Roy was the first fulltime Chinese Canadian labour organizer with the International Woodworkers of America. His commitment to creating a fair and just society led to a 42 year long career as editor/publisher of Chinatown News", North America's first English language news magazine for the Chinese community. Roy was also a founding member of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, Pacific Unit 280, the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, The Chinese Cultural Centre, The Sun Yet Sun Garden Society and the Advisory Council for SUCCESS. He has appeared in many documentary films and books and received multiple awards and accolades for his service to community. In 2003, this recognition culminated in Roy's receiving the Order of British Columbia. Roy is deeply missed by his devoted wife Ling Quon, daughter Bonnie, son Wayne (Patricia), grandson Tristan, sister May of Seattle, stepsons Kinman (Amy) and Darrin Quon (Brenda), goddaughter Jenny Gan, godson Keith Black and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, lifelong friends and fellow veterans. Heartfelt thanks to the caring doctors and staff of the Renal Unit at St. Paul's Hospital and to Dr. John Sloan who helped facilitate a joyful 89th year of life. A celebration of Roy's remarkable life and contributions will be held at the Chinese Cultural Centre (50 E Pender St., Vancouver) on July 12, 2007 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, #178-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, V6Z 1Y6. 383743

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Published by The Times Colonist on Jun. 27, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Roy Mah

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4 Entries

Patrick TAM

July 17, 2007

With the passing of Roy, the Chinese community in Canada have lost a pioneer and a example one should look up to.
We shall not mourn the death of Roy, we shall celebrate his life just as LCol Howe LEE of the Chinese-Canadian Military Museum did on the Memorial Service for Roy in the Chinese Cultural Centre.
If you want to see the fotos of Roy's 89th birthday celebration, his celebration of the 60th scrapping of the Chinese Immigration Act and the enacting of the Canadian Citizenship Act, his funeral and the memorial Service, you cna see them in my collection of fotos on Flickr.

Lowe Teresa

July 11, 2007

I wish to express my condolences to Roy Mah's family with his passing yet honour his life and legacy. My father, mother and I were pleased to celebrate his 89th birthday amongst the guests from Victoria. My father Richard Lowe was especially pleased to see his long time school friend amongst so many well wishers. I have been told that Mr. Mah and my father supportedly challenged each other to do well at Chinese School in Victoria and competed as team members for the Victoria Chinese Students Basketball Club. Mr. Mah wore jersey no. 7 and my father wore jersey no. 6.
Mr. Mah's formative years were indicative of his lifetime contributions in support of the Chinese community as equitable and productive citizens of Canada. His belief and encouragement for others to do well and ability to challenge circumstance has been for the benefit of the community as a whole. I wish to acknowledge his contributions that have made a difference for persons of my generation take part in mainstream society more readily.
I too have a personal story of support when Mr. Mah extended his words of encouragement and wide circle of friends when I first arrived in Vancouver in the mid 80's as a new graduate but without the experience or professional contacts to embark on a career.
Thank you for your positive outlook that has helped us all.

RODD LEW

June 26, 2007

SENIOR ROY MAH,A ROLE MODEL THAT SET THE PATH FOR CHINESE.I WILL REMEMBER YOUR KINDNESS TOWARDS ME OUR MANY CONVERSATIONS AND YOUR HELPFUL WORDS OF WISDOM.THANK-YOU FOR PUTTING MY HEADSHOT ON THE COVER OF THE CHINESE TIMES NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. ALWAYS REMEMBERED RODD LEW

Kelly Ip

June 26, 2007

I am saddened by the passing of Roy whom I got to know and respect for the last four decades! To me, his reputation preceded before our first meeting in the early seventies because I already read the Chinatown News when I was in Ottawa working for the Secretary of State Department.

When I was transferred to Vancouver in 1970, Roy was the first person in the Chinese Community that I wanted to meet. He was most gracious to welcome me when I paid him my courtesy visit and he became my friend and mentor since.

Roy opened the door for me to many Chinese organziations and other ethnic groups because one of my duties as the Regional Liaison Officer for the Departement was to work with various multicultural organizations in B.C. and Yukon.

Roy also became our neighbour when he moved into Yaletown and we ran into each other along the False Creek seawall when the weather was nice.

We will miss him dearly as a friend and the Chinese community missed an icon but his kindess and smiles will always be in our hearts and minds.

Maggie joins me in conveying our condolences to Lynn and his family.

Kelly & Maggie

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for Roy Mah

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