It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Hor-Kay Chan, who peacefully departed this world on June 10, 2025. 

Born on May 7, 1937 in Guangzhou, China to his parents, mother Kim Hung Fung and father Fook Hing Chan, he spent his childhood in wartime Hong Kong with his six siblings and friends from Shing Kwong Church, The Church of Christ in China.  As a student in Hong Kong Technical College his brilliance in mathematics was matched only by his natural athleticism.  He was nominated as team captain of four concurrent sports teams: swimming, soccer, basketball and track & field. His popularity as the campus soccer star followed him later in life when random strangers would recognize and stop him while grocery shopping in Montreal’s Chinatown.

As the first of his siblings to immigrate to Canada after receiving a scholarship to McGill University, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1964. He worked at various firms including Dominion Bridge and Bombardier, where, as part of the original team that built the first generation of nuclear power plants in Canada, he designed the physical containment structure that houses the first commercial CANDU reactors in the Bruce, Darlington and Pickering nuclear stations in Ontario.

He met his wife Jennie Yee at church, married and raised two children.  He was a man who expressed his love through his actions and his never-failing dependability. He spent his free time ferrying his kids all over town to various extracurricular activities, and most dinnertime conversations imparting his values and teaching them life lessons.   After a 20-year marriage, Jennie passed away from cancer and he went on to raise and support two teenagers as a single father.  Later, he met his wife Virginia Ngan through his church pastor and remarried.  After another two-decade long marriage, Virginia also sadly passed away from cancer. 

Hor-Kay was a devoted husband and loving father, but first and foremost he was a Christian who dedicated his life to serving God through his community.  As a member of The Montreal Chinese Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, he was an elder, treasurer and choir member.  His personal experience with wartime deprivation shaped his intense desire to help others, though he never took credit and rarely mentioned the ways he helped many in the Cantonese-speaking community of Montreal, providing free translation services and advice to new immigrants, end of life support to seniors and anyone who required assistance with tax filing and tax minimization strategies.

He is survived by his son Michael David Chan (Elizabeth Anne Chan, born Davidson), his only grandchild Lucas John Kay Chan, his daughter Audrey Vickie Chan (Michael Philip Morris), elder brother Hor Wai Peter Chan of Toronto, elder sister Hor So Li of Vancouver, younger sister Rebecca Wong of Los Gatos, California and many beloved nieces and nephews.   

He was predeceased by his wife Jennie (Yee) Chan, his wife Virginia Ngan, his eldest brother Hor Ming Chan of Hong Kong, elder sister Hor Fan Ma of Vancouver and elder brother Hor Min Chan of Vancouver.  

A funeral service will be held on June 26, 2025 at 10:30am at Mount Royal Funeral Complex & Cemetery, 1297 Chemin de la Forêt, Outremont.  Internment, then a reception with light refreshments will follow at the same location. 

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations to the Montreal Chinese Presbyterian Church at www.mtlcpc.org.  Indicate "In memory of HK Chan" in the Notes section of the payment screen. Tax receipts can be requested for donations of $30 or above. Alternately, donations made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada are equally appreciated.