Kong Nien Chang

Chang, Kong Nien, aged 99, passed away peacefully in Vancouver, Canada, on July 31, 2026.

Born in 1927 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, Kong Nien lived an extraordinary, resilient life shaped by major historical events. As a young man, he navigated the turmoil of the Japanese invasion, moving through Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. In 1949, internal political strife led him to flee to Hong Kong, and by 1953, he reached Taiwan, where he joyfully reunited with his sister.

Kong Nien built a remarkable, globe-spanning career in aviation. In 1964, he joined Civil Air Transport (CAT), the airline founded by General Claire Chennault. His career took him to Saigon, Vietnam, in 1965, where he transitioned to working with American Airlines. Following the setbacks of the Vietnam War, he returned to Taiwan in 1974, before taking a position with Iran Air in 1975. The Iranian Revolution in 1980 brought him back to Hong Kong, where he lent his talents to Cathay Pacific.

A vacation in 1981 to visit his daughter changed the course of his family's future. During the trip, he was hired by Conair. With the approval of the Canadian Immigration Department, he returned briefly to Hong Kong to finalize paperwork. Later that same year, he and his entire family of five proudly immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, which became their permanent home.

Kong Nien was a devoted family man who faced life's hardships with immense courage. He was sadly predeceased by his beloved wife, Chin Chih, in 2007. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his eldest daughter, Signe; his eldest son, Philip; and his son, Mike. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, adventure, and deep devotion to his children and extended family.

A funeral service will be held on August 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home (Kingsway, Vancouver). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation (BC Cancer Agency)

張康年（Chang, Kong Nien）先生於 2026 年 7 月 31 日在加拿大溫哥華安詳離世，享耆壽 99 歲。

康年先生於 1927 年出生於中國浙江寧波，他的一生波瀾壯闊，充滿了生命的韌性，並深深烙印著重大歷史事件的印記。年少時，他因遭遇日本侵華而流離於上海、南京和杭州之間。1949 年，因共產黨內部政局動盪，他毅然隻身逃往香港；隨後於 1953 年進入台灣，與親姐姐得以團聚。

康年先生在航空界建立起卓越且跨越全球的職業生涯。1964 年，他加入了由陳納德將軍（General Claire Chennault）創辦的民航空運公司（CAT）。1965 年，他前往越南西貢，隨後轉入美國航空（American Airlines）工作。1974 年，因越南戰爭局勢逆轉，他返回台灣，並於 1975 年轉往伊朗航空（Iran Air）任職。1980 年，伊朗爆發內戰，他再度回到香港，服務於國泰航空（Cathay Pacific）。

1981 年，在一次前往加拿大探望女兒的假期中，改變了他全家人的命運。在旅途中，他獲得了加拿大 Conair 航空公司的聘用。在加拿大移民局的核准下，他隨即返回香港辦理移民手續。同年，他們全家五口順利移民至加拿大溫哥華，並在此安居樂業。

康年先生是一位深愛家庭的丈夫與父親，面對人生重重逆境，始終展現出無比的勇氣。他摯愛的妻子吳金治（Chin Chih）已於 2007 年先一步離世。他所留下的堅韌精神、傳奇般的冒險歷程，以及對子女與至親的深切關愛，將永遠為長女慧燕（Signe）、長子賢雄（Philip）、次子賢明 Mike）以及全體家族成員所銘記與懷念。

追思儀式將於 2026 年 8 月 15 日上午 9:00 在溫哥華 Mount Pleasant 殯儀館（Mount Pleasant Funeral Home, Kingsway）舉行。懇辭隨禮、鮮花，懇請將這份心意轉化為愛心，捐贈至卑詩省癌症基金會（BC Cancer Foundation / BC Cancer Agency）。

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Chang family.