Kam-Fai Ho

Kam-Fai was born on 10 June 1933 in Hong Kong to a large, close-knit family. He was the sixth of eight siblings. Aside from attending undergraduate and graduate studies in Taiwan and New York, respectively, he lived and worked in and for Hong Kong. In retirement, he had called Vancouver home.

Kam-Fai had a meaningful professional career that spanned every aspect of social work from fieldwork to research to teaching and education to policy development and management. An early first role was to aid in the adoption of children who were separated from families by wars and conflicts. He then joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to help found and build the first undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Social Work. He eventually rose to become a Professor and the Chair for the Department of Social Work. He also served as the Director for the Department of Extramural Studies at CUHK.

Between 1978 and 1988, Kam-Fai was appointed to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. For his dedication and contribution to public service in Hong Kong, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) in 1978, honoured with an OBE in 1981, and an CBE in 1988.

Kam-Fai advocated for an active mind and body. He was a world traveller, having been to many corners of the world. He was an avid tennis player with a sweet backhand. Unexpectedly, he also took up windsurfing! Away from the sun, he taught himself to play the guitar and violin. In more contemplative pursuits, he became a prolific poet capturing his musings on daily life.

Kam-Fai is lovingly treasured by his wife, three children, their spouses, and four cherished grandchildren, as well as his wonderful sister and two sisters-in-law. He is also fondly remembered and respected by his nieces, nephews, and students.

A viewing will be held between 5-7 PM (Vancouver time) on Wednesday, 26 November, 2025, at the Hamilton Harron Funeral Home, located at 5390 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC.

For those who wish to send floral tributes, please consider donating in his memory in lieu of flowers to the Vancouver General Hospital, BC Cancer Agency, or the Canadian Red Cross.