Stanley Chin

Stanley Chin was a father, lawyer, political activist, restauranter and explorer. He was curious, smart and thoughtful, always eager to help his family, his friends and the Chinatown community in which he grew up in. He was never lost for words or a helping hand. He had great insight and empathy for all those around him. He showed life and vigor as he embraced everything from playing basketball in the lower east side as a kid, to staying in Bradley Beach NJ in the summers, and traveling the world for its food and people. He was also an avid sports lover, particularly for the St. John’s basketball team, the NY Yankees and the Knicks.

Stanley Chin was born in the same Chinatown apartment that his great grandfather moved into in 1915, and his mother (Mak Lin Chin) and father (Lung Chin) lived in until 1996. Stanley and his brothers Steven and Stuart along with their sister Janice were all born in that same apartment on Mott St. Like his dad, Stanley attended PS 23 and then Stuyvesant High School on 14th St.

As a young man, he and his brother and cousins, signed up to fight in the Korean war. This patriotism not only showed his family’s dedication to this country but also gave them the ability to pursue college degrees after serving. He went onto Dickinson College and then St. John’s Law School. In SJU he studied with Mario Como, the previous governor of New York State, whom he greatly respected. Stanley’s start as a lawyer began with opening a small practice that he shared with Donald Manes, the Queensborough president for many years. Throughout his career Stanley was very politically engaged through both the American Legion in Chinatown, as well as being the President of the Chinatown Democratic Club in the 60-70s. In 1972, he was the first Chinese American person to run for office as an NYS Assemblyman and lost by only 500 votes.

Up to the mid-80s, he continued working as a lawyer supporting members of the community who needed wills drawn, houses closed on and the purchase of a restaurant or other businesses. Stanley also opened bars and restaurants in Manhattan to stay in the action, as well as create work opportunities for his father, brother and sister-in-law, mostly in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Stanley worked well into his 80s commuting by subway into Manhattan and when he wasn’t working, he was at the casinos in Connecticut.

Mr. Chin is survived by his three daughters, Nadine Chin-Santos of Queens, New York, his second daughter Kristine Chin in Westchester, New York and his younger daughter Andrea Ho in Ulster, New York. He has one granddaughter, Sena who is the daughter of Kristine.

A visitation will be held at Frederick Funeral Home, located at 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358, on August 1, 2025, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm.

The committal service will take place at Kensico Cemetery, located at 273 Lakeview Ave, Valhalla, NY 10595, on August 1, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.