Peter Wing Shek Mah

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Peter Wing Shek Mah, who left us peacefully on August 7, 2026, in Vancouver, BC, at the age of 94. He is survived by his three children and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lillian (née Lee), his partner in life for almost 70 years.

To us, he was simply Dad.

Dad was born in Taishan, Guangdong Province, China. His journey to Canada began as a young man when he was attending high school in Guangzhou (Canton). During his second year, he received a letter from his father, who had previously immigrated to Canada, telling him that Peter and his family were now eligible to join him in Vancouver. Peter, his mother, and his older brother moved to Hong Kong, where they waited a year for their immigration documents. In 1951, the family finally made the journey to Vancouver and began a new life in Canada.

Dad attended Strathcona School before transferring to Britannia High School. He took his studies seriously, and his dedication to academics opened the door to university. He entered UBC in 1957 and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy in 1961. That education became the foundation for a career that would span nearly 50 years.

After graduating, Dad accepted a position as a pharmacist at the first London Drugs location on Main Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Eventually, he opened two pharmacies of his own. In those days, drug stores were independently owned and were much more than places to fill a prescription. They were part of the fabric of the community.

Dad was exactly the kind of pharmacist you hoped to have. He was honest, dependable, and kind. He genuinely cared about the people who walked through his doors. There are countless stories of Dad listening patiently to customers who needed someone to talk to, and of him quietly helping those who could not afford their medications. He never made people feel embarrassed or indebted. His kindness came naturally to him.

Over the years, many of his customers became friends. They would stop by the store, sometimes with no business to conduct at all, simply to say hello and share a story. Dad valued those relationships, and they became an important part of his life. His pharmacy may have been his workplace, but to many people it was also a place where they felt known, welcomed, and cared for.

Dad married the love of his life, Mom, and together they built a life and raised three children. They remained devoted to each other for almost 70 years.

Dad worked incredibly hard. Running his own business meant long hours, often seven days a week, and there were many times when work took him away from home. But even though Dad spent much of his life working to provide for his family, we never doubted how much he loved us. Everything he did was ultimately about giving his family a good life and opportunities he himself had worked so hard to create.

And Dad knew how to enjoy life, too.

He loved to dance. He and Mom would regularly get together with friends for ballroom dancing, and some of our fondest memories are of the two of them enjoying themselves on the dance floor. He also loved mahjong. Most weekends, the Mah family and their friends would gather for mahjong, taking turns hosting. These gatherings were filled with food, laughter, conversation, and, of course, the occasional competitive game. They became treasured memories of family and friendship.

As Dad and Mom grew older, maintaining their family home became increasingly difficult, and they eventually moved to the Opal retirement community. It turned out to be a wonderful new chapter in their lives. They embraced their new home and the many activities offered there.

Dad discovered a new passion for drawing and painting. And, true to form, he never gave up dancing. If there was music and an opportunity to dance, Dad was ready. His enthusiasm became so well known that he earned the affectionate nickname “Dancing King.”

Dad spoke often and with tremendous gratitude about Opal and its team. He was deeply appreciative of the people who cared for him and Mom and of the community they created for them. He always said that Opal had truly become home.

In Mom’s later years, when she was diagnosed with dementia, Dad became her primary caregiver. This was perhaps the greatest expression of his love. He cared for Mom with patience, devotion, and grace. Even when things became difficult, he remained by her side. He never saw caring for her as a burden or an obligation. He simply loved his wife and did what needed to be done.

When we think about the meaning of commitment, we think of Dad.

When we think about kindness, we think of Dad.

When we think about hard work, integrity, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching, we think of Dad.

But more than anything, we think of the love he had for his family.

Dad loved his children and grandchildren deeply. He loved telling stories and sharing his experiences. He was always ready to offer advice, whether we asked for it or not. Sometimes his wisdom came in the form of a long story, sometimes a simple comment, and sometimes just by watching the way he lived his life.

He taught us that success comes from hard work. That your word matters. That you treat people with respect. That you help others when you can. And that family is something you cherish and protect.

His greatest gift to us was not what he gave us materially, but the example he set. Because of Dad’s sacrifices and hard work, his children had opportunities to pursue the lives and careers we chose. He gave us a strong foundation and, more importantly, the confidence to build upon it.

We will miss so many things about Dad: his stories, his wisdom, his quiet kindness, his sense of humour, his love of dancing, and the way he could make a simple gathering feel special. We will miss seeing him with Mom. We will miss hearing his voice and knowing that, no matter how old we became, we were still his kids.

Dad lived 94 remarkable years. He came to Canada as a young man, built a career, raised a family, created lasting friendships, and spent almost seven decades beside the woman he loved. He worked hard, gave generously, and lived his life with honesty, dignity, and compassion.

His life was not defined by wealth or recognition, but by the people he touched and the family he loved.

Funeral services were private, and Dad was laid to rest beside his beloved Lillian on August 23, 2026.

We take comfort in knowing that they are together again.

Dad, thank you for everything you gave us, everything you taught us, and most of all, for loving us.

You will always be our Dad, our teacher, our role model, and a part of us.

We love you and we will miss you always.