Tom Chin Tang Chao

We are deeply saddened to announce that Mr. Tom Chin-Tang Chao, 89, passed away peacefully at St. John Hospice, UBC Endowment Lands, British Columbia. He is survived by Helen, his loving wife of 52 years; daughter, Lisa (Simon); daughter, Dorothy (John); and son, Stephen (Maribeth); and grandchildren: Jeremy, Michael, Brady, Gabrielle, Nicholas, and Julian.

Tom Chin-Tang Chao was born on November 14, 1930 in Penglai, Shandong Province, China. In 1943, he moved to Beijing and then in 1947 he moved to Taiwan. In Taiwan, he finished high school then went on to study agriculture in University and worked at the Taiwan Supply Bureau where he met his future wife, Helen.

In September 1961, Tom moved to Vancouver, Canada to study Agriculture at the University of British Columbia. He then attended the University of Guelph where he received his Master’s degree in Dairy Science in 1965. Tom went on to have a successful career working initially for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and then moving to B.C. to work for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. In Vancouver, he set up the first IRMA testing lab to rapidly analyze milk for its key components.

Tom and Helen married on October 15, 1966 and were together for 54 years. They started in Ontario, and then settled in Burnaby, B.C. where they raised 3 children, Lisa, Dorothy and Stephen. Today, Tom and Helen have 6 wonderful grandchildren.

After retiring from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture in 1989, Tom joined Helen in her wholesale gift and souvenir business. The business gave them the opportunity to travel to Asia several times a year on buying trips, and also all over Canada to promote their products. Having the business was a lot of fun for them to create new products, travel extensively, and meet new people.

In retirement, Tom was active with the Shandong Natives Association of B.C as a Board Member and he also continued to travel with Helen to Asia, US and Mexico.

Tom was a loving husband, caring father, respected father-in-law, proud grandfather, loyal friend and esteemed colleague. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends but will live forever in our hearts.