Rennie Franklin Chan

‘Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with you wherever you go’. Joshua 1:9 Rennie Franklin Chan, age 61 of Chantilly, Virginia was born in Georgetown, Guyana to the late Horace and Yvette Chan. He passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. His greatest joy and pride was for his children, Alison and Eric. He obtained his primary education at Carmel Roman Catholic Convent School and his secondary education from Charlestown Government Secondary High School, both in Georgetown, Guyana. He was raised Catholic and was a member of the Brickdam Cathedral altar servers. As a senior altar server, he was very involved in church life, including through helping the poor and providing services to the boys’ orphanage. After immigrating to the US, he earned his undergraduate degree from Thomas Edison State University and his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He continued to engage in charitable activities to assist the Guyanese people even after he immigrated. Rennie worked at various telecom and tech companies, mostly as Director of Finance, and towards the end of his life worked as a realtor and owner of an insurance agency. He was a longtime member of Christ Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia, and was a member of the 9:30 Adult Bible Study, the Small Group (the Lorton Purple People) and the Men’s Ministry. He worked with the Men's Ministry on various projects, including the Lorton Community Action Center Holiday Outreach Programs, and the Reveille Group. Rennie also served on the Rising Hope Mission Church Board, where he chaired the finance committee, volunteered with the Hypothermia Shelter and helped during “Workdays” to fix things around Rising Hope. He also served as a Youth Ministry Confirmation Mentor and Alpha Leader, attending the Walk to Emmaus and the Emmaus Small Group, and played an active role in church retreats. He missed his dear friend Bob Rositzke, who passed away a year or so ago. They have no doubt picked up their debate where they left off. And Rennie is now probably asking Bob, ‘What’s a good place to eat around here?’ He used to play golf with passion. He also loved to play ping pong with the members of the local mosque. Rennie is not a foodie, but loved food and knew every new restaurant within a 15 mile radius. A degenerative disease called MSA robbed him of his mobility, but COVID-19 robbed him of his life. He was so appreciative of all those who helped him during his illness though prayers, sending cards, calling, visiting when possible, and lending their support in many other ways. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his uncle, Albert Cheong, and his aunts, Rev. Yvonne Maria Leow and Beulah Boodhoo. Rennie is survived by his children, Alison and Eric; his partner Eleanor (and her daughter Sam); brother Theophilus Chan, sister Kim Cheong (Patrick); (nieces Nakita and Onaka Fiedtkou, nephew Tariq Arjune and great nephews Tate and Bradyn O'Quinn) and brother Woody Cheong (Farah); niece and nephew (Nia and Zayne Cheong). He is also survived by his uncle Ivor Lall (Kamila), and first cousins Dr. Hubert A. Leow (Evelyn), Venita Leow-Scindian (Patrick), Stephen Leow (Patsy), Dr. Ronald Leow (Deborah), Derek and Trevor Lall.