David Yang Chung Chang

David Yang Chung Chang 章 揚 中 passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on November 11, 2025, surrounded by his family at home in Ladner, after living bravely with kidney and heart disease for many years.

David was born in Hong Kong on January 23, 1950 to Li Lien Chang (Tou) and Robert Shih Tse Chang, the third of six children. He was a trusting boy, inseparable from his older brother, and loyal to his entire family, often playing the role of protector to his parents and younger siblings.

He immigrated to Vancouver at seventeen, graduated from Magee Secondary, and completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia. David then earned an engineering degree at the University of Saskatoon, where he met the love of his life, Clarisse (Claire) Marie Hannah. Claire fell in love with the tall, handsome, friendly man who shared stories of growing up in Hong Kong and his family’s journey to Canada. The Hannahs welcomed David to the family, just as Claire was welcomed by the Changs, at a time when interracial marriages were by far the norm.

David and Claire married in 1975 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and welcomed their first daughter, Leah. The family then moved to Vancouver in 1980 where daughters Shea and Alana were born. They settled in Richmond, BC for more than forty years, and David led his family with loyalty, steadiness and quiet faith in God.

David dedicated thirty-five years to the federal government as an Engineer for Public Works. He led structural, seismic and public safety projects for federal buildings, bridges, breakwaters and other major structures across BC. After retirement, he treasured close friendships with his engineering colleagues.

David loved simple pleasures such as walking the beach with Claire and their daughters, enjoying fresh seafood, and spending time on the water. The family shared many fishing and camping trips to Tofino and all across BC’s beautiful coast, family reunions in the Prairies and PEI, and many other unforgettable family trips to California and Yellowstone Park.

A man of faith, David trusted God throughout his life and especially during his illnesses. He was a committed member of Richmond Alliance Church, where he served as an elder and joined the men’s ministry, and in recent years, worshipped at South Delta Baptist Church. Family meant everything to him, and he deeply valued the years of intergenerational living with his mother, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.

David is survived by his loving wife, Claire (Hannah), daughters Leah, Shea (Brendan Rankin) and Alana (David Lopez), and granddaughters Cecilia and Emilia, who will continue to honour his life and example.

A celebration of life will be held at South Delta Baptist Church on December 5, 2025 at 10:30 am followed by a reception with light refreshments. He will be buried at a family-only ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burnaby.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to St. Paul’s Foundation or the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Links for both can be found below.