The Celebration of Matthew’s Life took place on April 20th, 2011 at Richmond Funeral Home at 10am. ‘Celebration’ is the word chosen by Matthew, as he wanted us to celebrate life, not sadness; Celebration - because April 20th was also Matthew’s birthday.
The ceremony was attended by over 200 friends and family. It began with prayers led by Father Qin; followed by readings of the Bible by Matthew’s beloved daughter, Olivia; and son, Leo. A compilation of photographs showing Matthew’s life was presented on screen; special tributes were made by Matthew’s friends Michael Day, David Chong, Kelly Ng from SUCCESS and Michael Li who represented Dr Albert Wong and colleagues from MCMIA (Hong Kong).
After paying the final respect, a reception was held in the lounge.
On April 21st, Matthew’s body was taken to Valley View Cemetery in Surrey to be cremated.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciations for all the well wishes, flowers and donations given by Matthew’s friends and relatives.
Special thanks also to Kathryn Tung who narrated the entire celebration, and to all the friends who helped with the preparation.
Thank you once again from Matthew's family
Dear Esther,
ReplyDeleteNo words can be said to take away your grieve and sorrow. Just want you to know we care, and you can call me any time if you feel like talking.
hugs,
Katherina
Thank you, Matthew! You inspire me to think about life and death. Your spirit, your energy keep me move.
ReplyDeleteThe family unity from Esther, Leo, Olivia, Irene, Joey, Grace, Dee and Jun is the power of love to make the "Celebration of Life" work. Efficient and Amazing!
God Bless....
YinYang said...
ReplyDeleteA Eulogy for Matthew Kwow-Choi Chan
From His Friends at MCMIA
(Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association)
April 20, 2011
There are moments in life where a spark of insight makes a difference and alter the course of events. This happened on a October day in 1999 to a TCM delegation from Hong Kong visiting the Kampo industry of Japan.
The delegation embarked on this tour with a heavy heart because Hong Kong declared the abandonment the so-called “TCM Port” Project a couple of months earlier, leaving the future of Hong Kong TCM in complete uncertainty.
The delegation visited numerous institutions, businesses and manufacturing facilities. The members were deeply impressed and inspired by the modernity of the Japanese Kampo industry. As the mission was drawing to a close, some of the delegates were gathered around an oval table at the rear of a bus to discuss our feeling about the tour that Matthew came up with the idea to organize a new association in Hong Kong to help modernize Chinese medicine.
His bold suggestion echoed around the bus and a ray of hope began to shine through the cloud of despair brought by the “TCM Port” incident. Shortly after the Japan mission, a number of the delegates began to gather regularly to organize the association. On May 31st, 2000, MCMIA was born and all along Matthew was a major driving force behind it.
Being a businessman, Matthew recognized the unique strength of Hong Kong as an international platform for TCM. He was fully engaging in the development of MCMIA’s 2 major programs: the ICMCM, an annual international event for TCM exhibition and conference founded in 2002, and the introduction of US Pharmacopeia’s Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP) to the Greater China Region in 2006.
Regretfully, Matthew missed the awarding of the first DSVP certificate to one of his good friend’s company in 2009 and he was also unable to attend the 10th anniversary of the founding of MCMIA last year. In both occasions, he was sorely missed.
This August, we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of ICMCM. This time around, we are sure Matthew will be with us to share the joy of this event.
Mathew’s departure is a great loss to all of us at MCMIA. Perhaps, we could somewhat be consoled by the fact that what Matthew started in MCMIA had all borne fruits during his life time. However, the road ahead will still be long and tortuous and there will continue to be a strong headwind blowing against us.
But, Matthew’s example of perseverance in
face of adversity will always inspire us. His total and unswerving commitment in his causes will continue to galvanize our strengths. His smiles, his optimism, his straight forward demeanors and his strong sense of purpose will live forever in the heart of his comrades at MCMIA !
26 April, 2011 20:37
The following song, as far as I am concerned, also meant what Matthew was all about. The name of the song, is "Matthew" :
ReplyDeleteHad an uncle named Matthew
Was his fathers only boy
Born just south of Colby, Kansas
Was his mothers pride and joy
Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on
Love was just the way to live and die
Gold was just a windy Kansas wheatfield
Blue, just a Kansas summer sky
All the stories that he told me
Back when I was just a lad
All the memories that he gave me
All the good times that he had
Growing up a Kansas farmboy
Life was mostly having fun
Riding on his Daddys shoulders
Behind a mule beneath the sun
Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on
Love was just the way to live and die
Gold was just a windy Kansas wheatfield
Blue is just a Kansas summer sky
Well, I guess there were some hard times
And I'm told some years were lean
They had a storm in forty-seven
A twister came and stripped them clean
He lost the farm and lost his family
He lost the wheat and lost his home
But he found the family Bible
Faith as solid as a stone
Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on
Love was just the way to live and die
Gold was just a windy Kansas wheatfield
Blue, just a Kansas summer sky
So he came to live at our house
And he came to work the land
He came to ease my Daddys burden
And he came to be my friend
So, I wrote this down for Matthew
And it's for him the song is sung
Riding on his Daddy's shoulders
Behind a Mule beneath the sun
Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on
Love was just the way to live and die
Gold was just a windy Kansas wheatfield
Blue,was just a Kansas summer sky
Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on
Love was just the way to live and die
Gold was just a windy Kansas wheatfield
Blue, just a Kansas summer sky
**********************************
Matthew, we shall meet again!
Raymond.
Dear Esther and your lovely family or friends,
ReplyDeleteAll Matthew's spirit is alive to teach us
what love is and how we love......
Please take the best care of ourselves.......
Please remember those good memories and forget
all the sorrow and pain ASAP......God bless U
all......
Thanks Matthew and all we love and care.
With Warmest Regards,
Miranda (King) in Hong Kong
dear Matthew's family, we are all missing our awesome Matthew n trust he is there on the most beautiful place. If I may, where do you share some pictures of Matthew's Celebration which I can see?
ReplyDeletewarm regards,
Yuli