Gerald Chan
August 9, 1942 - November 6, 2022
Gerald Jing Chan, born on August 9, 1942 in San Francisco to the late Fole and Edna Chan, passed away at the age of 80 on November 6, 2022 in San Francisco.
He was a graduate of Washington High School and San Francisco State University with a degree in Political Science.
Gerald and his wife, Helen, travelled the world with numerous trips and cruises to Europe, Asia, and Russia. At his home on Sacramento Street in the City, he loved arranging and cooking for large parties for friends and family.
Gerald was very active in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's and onward. He worked 25 years as a Lead Investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Education.
Gerald was the loving husband of Helen Chow-Chan for 40 years. He is survived by his brother, Ernest (Phyllis) Chan of San Francisco.
The Family expresses its appreciation to The Avenue on Van Ness Avenue for taking excellent care of Gerald.
Memorial Service will be at Green Street Mortuary, 649 Green Street in San Francisco on Saturday, November 19 at 10AM followed by an escorted procession to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma. Burial service will be at Noon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Nov. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Chan

Sponsored by Green Street Mortuary.

19 Entries

Annette Montiel-Eison

November 3, 2024

Gerald! Thanking God for your legacy. Forever in our hearts and making sure that our Helen continues to have inspiration to share her gifts in this world and be loved by all of us that will always love your life that you shared with all of us.
Love, Dennis and Annette

Mark and Cheryl Wong

December 16, 2023

Helen. We have very fond memories of Gerald´s friendship. He was always kind, generous, considerate and eager to help. He was welcoming and always wanted to invite/include others into his circle. When an early work assignment at the EEOC took me to the San Francisco office, he was one of the first to warmly welcome me and he did so with open arms. I also remember his love of playing tennis and my being on the tennis court with him. He was a competitor. It was fun and we enjoyed our attempts to be better at playing the game. We also have a special memory of his generous invitation to join him, his family and friends for a rather expansive Thanksgiving dinner at his home. He thoroughly enjoyed preparing and cooking a voluminous amount of and variety of food. And we were the beneficiaries of his talent and labor. He loved to host. He loved bringing people together for good conversations and his laughter and joy were infectious. His kindness was all the more extraordinary when he invited me to be part of the wedding party at his marriage. And being part of the wedding party was an extraordinary experience. We will always remember Gerald. Peace. Mark and Cheryl Wong

Mark and Cheryl Wong

December 27, 2022

Helen: I was very saddened to learn that your beloved Gerald had passed. His friendship was an extraordinary gift. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to be with him and to spend time with him. When I was a young intern (years ago) serving in the EEOC office in San Francisco, Gerald was warmly welcoming, kind, generous and was always willing to be helpful in so many ways. His strong commitment and dedication to lawful enforcement, community outreach and advocacy for equal/civil rights for all was exceptional. And his leadership and devoted work inspired many local and national Asian American and Pacific Islander groups to become more actively/aggressively engaged in the effort to identify and eradicate discrimination. Outside of our EEOC work, there were many times when we would play tennis together, on courts in my neighborhood, in Walnut Creek, where it was usually warmer and sunnier than in the city. He was a tough competitor and loved the game. There are also many fond memories of having lunch together He absolutely did know good restaurants and great Asian dining spots. And, better yet, he loved to cook. He really enjoyed it. His special occasion dinners were wonderful celebrations. We will miss Gerald´s laughter, kindness, generosity and more. Our deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. Mark and Cheryl Wong

Bruce

December 2, 2022

Our thoughts and prayers Helen

Dennis Eison

November 19, 2022

Rest peacefully in Heaven my brother! You made this world a better place with your presence. We will continue fighting the struggle against inequality and separatism. Thank you sir forb your friendship and brotherhood!
Dennis Eison

Annette Montiel-Eison

November 18, 2022

My sincerest condolences to Helen, her family and Gerald's family. I have known Gerald and Helen for more than 32 years. They took me in like family. I always admired Gerald and Helen as a couple and as very special people. I know without a doubt, Gerald has rejoined with his parents and is in total peace and free of physical pain in Heaven with His Heavenly Father. We are always here for you my dear Helen. Love, Dennis and Annette

Jon Goldberg

November 17, 2022

Gerald and Helen were wonderful people and were a joy to be around. Helen kept me out of trouble at work and Gerald was an inspiration to me during my DEA career. He will be sorely missed, but always remembered. Thoughts and prayers to Helen and their entire Family!!

Emily Martin

November 17, 2022

I have had the pleasure of living in the same building on Sacramento street with Gerald and Helen for 18 years. They have always looked out for me and have been great neighbors. We have shared some great food and laughs together and he will be truly missed. Sending love and strength
Love Emily Martin

Love Emily Martin

Sent Flowers

Janice Wong Family

Sent Flowers

Alex Durbin

November 16, 2022

Gerald and I worked together at EEOC fighting the good fight. Shared many lunches with him and he did know his SF restaurants. We were at game three in 1989 world series... earthquake happened and I spent the night at his place (thanks Helen for your hospitality). May we play a tennis match in the sky. Rest in peace my friend.

Russell and Cecilia Ng

November 14, 2022

We met Gerald and Helen about 16 years ago and we became best of friends. Gerald and I attended quite a few Giants baseball games together and we would enjoy talking about sports, politics, and our life in San Francisco growing up in Chinatown. Gerald and Helen opened their house for numerous dinners and barbeque which we dearly enjoyed. We took a cruise together and he knew the best Chinese restaurant to eat in Canada (Richmond) and Helen arranged the great lodging for our group. That was a great trip. Several months ago we took Gerald and Helen for a drive/lunch and he was telling me the best direction to drive. His memory was fantastic. I know he really loved his Chinese food which we both enjoyed. We had many lunches together and would have a good time just chatting away as we ate our tomatoes beef chow mein and duck yee foo wun ton. Gerald was a real ABC that knew how to eat and that made a good bond in our relationship. I will miss my good buddy "Gerald".

Jeanne Allen

Sent Flowers

Gee Cousin Kids

Planted Trees

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Phern and Nancy Hunt

Sent Flowers

Theodore :TED" Martin

November 10, 2022

I met Gerald when I left Water and Power-(Bureau of Reclamation) . Gerald and Jim Dorn were the one that taught me the ropes at EEOC. HE IS A man I WILL NEVER FORGET. I remember his wife, Helen she is a great lady.
I wish the very best for her.
I still have the coin that Gerald gave out at his Father service. May Gerald Rest in Peace.
Theodore "TED" Martin

ted

November 10, 2022

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Vic Sung

November 10, 2022

Gerald and I were investigators at the Office for Civil Rights with the Department of Education. We became fast friends due to our similar interests and backgrounds, for I grew up across the street from his family home. We shared a passion for social justice and tennis. We played as doubles partners and shared many a meal at his house. I will remember him fondly as a great friend and cook.

Rozalind Brack

November 10, 2022

I've had the privilege to know Gerald for almost 50 years and during that time he and his wife, Helen, have enriched my life with love, laughs, adventures and, always, incredible food experiences. My loyal, generous friend is gone, but I am so happy to have shared so much time with him over the years. Different time zones did not deter him from calling me and sharing his perspective and support for the Warriors and the Giants. He lived a full, happy life and he was always interested in sharing it with others. He was a giant on so many levels! And, a warrior in terms of his commitment to equality.

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