William Sen Mah

It is with great sadness that the family of William Sen Mah, beloved husband of the late Lillian Mah (nee Lee) of Calgary, Alberta, peacefully passed away at Hillcrest Extendicare on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the age of 95 years. Bill was born on May 6, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was the second child Kim and Charlie Mah Yet. Bill was, for the most part, was raised in Edmonton. When he was 13, his family moved back to Toishan, China to build a house; however, due to the Japanese invading China they returned to Edmonton. Bill attended the University of Alberta prior to joining his father in the family dry cleaning business, “Central Cleaners, Dyers & Tailors.” Bill met his wife, Lillian, in Vancouver at Stanley Park while on a holiday. After his son Ronald was born, the Mah family moved to Calgary where Bill ran the Colonial Hotel with his father until the City of Calgary took over the land to build what was to be the new city hall. Instead, the land eventually became the Olympic Plaza. In 1969, Bill became a director with the Sein Lok Society and remained involved with the Society until the Sein Lok Park was established.

Bill was a very successful businessman, selling insurance for Sun Life Assurance of Canada and owning a few strip malls in Calgary. Bill’s hobbies included horse racing, mahjong, fishing, and playing poker at the Elks Club with his boys and their friends. He loved to travel and often included his family on his many adventures to China, Australia, Alaska, Caribbean and the United States. He loved his many friends often hosting numerous dinners and sharing his favorite past time - eating. Above of all, he was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Bill will be lovingly remembered by his children, Ronald (Beverly), Joy (Alan), Randy, Susan, Lorraine (Doug) and Ritchie (Joanne); ten grandchildren, Kevin, Chad, Sarah, Erin, Jordan, Christopher, Curtis, Colin, Nikki, Jacob and five great-grandchildren, Michael, Emily, Molly, Amara and Chayson. He is survived by his sister, Grace and sister-in-law Mae, as well as several nieces and nephews. William was predeceased by his wife Lillian; parents Charlie and Kim; his sister Edith, brother Raymond and daughter-in-law Deborah.

The family is especially grateful to his caregiver, Jasmin Lamban, for her endless belief in getting the best outcome for Bill, creative therapies, love and attention over the past five years. We also wish to thank the staff of Hillcrest Extendicare for providing care and comfort to Bill in his last days.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the visitation to be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Friday, December 13, 2019 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm. with The Reverend Bruce Dowbush officiating. Interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to The Happy Seniors Association – Hillcrest Extendicare, 1512 8 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1C1 or a charity of your choice in memory of William Mah.