ZHONGMIN "JOE" YANG

1945 - 2023

YANG, Zhongmin "Joe" Of West Roxbury, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away in his home on April 17, 2023 at the age of 78. Zhongmin is survived by his wife, Nansheng "Nancy" Ke; son Lifan and wife, Andrea; stepson, Christopher Wu; brother, Weimin Yang and wife, Weiguo Meng; niece, Lulu Yang; and grandchildren, Matthew and Elizabeth. Zhongmin was born in the city of Chongqing, China on April 14, 1945. He was the eldest child of loving parents Ji Yang and Chun Pei Wu. As a youth, he was curious, kind, and determined. An exceptional student and athlete, he graduated from Tsinghua University in 1968, and was a member of the Chinese national alternate table tennis team. In 1982, he began studying at Harvard University where he earned his MS in Applied Math and Computer Science and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1987. He worked as Post Doctorate Research Associate at Brown University, and as a Research Assistant Professor at Harvard University, before embarking on a corporate career; first at Eaton Corp. then at Harmonic Drive LLC, serving as its EVP, CCO and CIO. He also sat on its Board for nearly two decades. During his illustrious career, he led, collaborated with, and mentored many colleagues across the U.S., Japan, and China. He was particularly involved in facilitating the company's expansion in China, and has two patents and six publications under his name. Zhongmin met Nansheng Ke forty years ago, and they have been blissfully married for the last 24 years while raising two sons from prior marriages. He was a quiet man who found his greatest joy sharing time with his wife gardening, grilling, playing table tennis, swimming and traveling across the U.S., Asia, Europe and Latin America. He made numerous friends across the country and globe through his many acts of kindness. Zhongmin lived his life as one who lovingly planted trees under whose shade he did not expect to sit. While he left us all too soon, his kindness, perseverance, integrity and selfless generosity live on in all of us whom he touched during his life. The family will hold Visiting Hours at the P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St., WEST ROXBURY, on Friday, April 28th from 4-8 pm. Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home on Saturday, April 29th at 11 am. For those unable to attend, the Funeral will be available via livestream at Harborview.live at 11 am. Those who would like to share their thoughts, may do so at Forevermissed.com/zhongminyang Online guestbook at pemurrayfuneral.com P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins George F. Doherty & Sons West Roxbury 617-325-2000