Joseph Yik Wang Lee

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Joseph Yik Wang Lee who left us on 13th December 2025 after a courageous battle with illness. He was 64 years old.

Joseph – known to family and friends as Joe - was born on 17th August 1961 in Hong Kong. According to our culture, he was born under the Lunar calendar on one of the three Chinese Valentine’s Days, the Double Seventh Day, also known as the Qixi Festival (七夕節). This day is rooted in the mythical love story of Niulang (牛郎 the Cowherd) and Zhinu (織女 the Weaver Girl), a timeless tale of romance, perseverance, and enduring love. Fittingly, when Joe was young, he was affectionately known within the family as “Cowboy (牛仔)”.

Joseph graduated from Queen’s University and later migrated to Vancouver to live with our parents. There, he developed a strong sense of independence through diligence and determination – qualities that reflected his steadfast, ox-like character, as he was also born in the Year of the Ox.

Joe began his Christian journey as a Catholic, following our mother’s faith, as was customary for all her children. In Hong Kong at that time, this also provided access to quality schools, which was important to our family. Later, while living in Vancouver, he chose to continue his walk of faith as a Christian. This faith became deeply rooted and profoundly meaningful in his life. As written in James 2:18:

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

Through illness and hardship, Joe learned to lean fully on his faith. He trusted in God’s timing, found strength in prayer, and faced each day with courage. Even in his final days, when his frail body caused frustration and limited his ability to express himself, he held firmly to the promise that those who die in Christ are never truly lost, but are called home – where there is no suffering, only peace and love.

Our brother Joe was a considerate and kind man who never turned away a sincere request for help. At times, he felt hurt when his kindness and good intentions were not appreciated, but he always found comfort and reassurance in Christ.

Joe often spoke of his plans for life after turning 65 – retiring and traveling the world. In his final days, he came to accept that God’s timing was never his to determine. He accepted this with grace and departed in peace.

Under medical advice, Joe made the courageous decision to receive comfort care that would ease his suffering and allow him to say farewell to those he loved.

In accordance with his wishes, no service will be held. Joe did not want mourning, but rather a celebration of his life – remembering him with joy and gratitude for who he was. May those who share his faith meet him again in Christ. Let us honour him in both faith and love.

Our dear brother Joe, rest in peace.

We will miss you deeply, but only for a time – for we are all temporary residents in this world. We will meet again in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Paul's Foundation. The link can be found below.