Donald Dong Toy Nip

He will be remembered with great warmth and love by his wife Esther, children Judia, Gloria and Brian (Rachel), and his precious grandchildren Alycia, Christian, Keefer (Savanna), Christine, Stefanie, Jonathan, Kathryn and Ryan.

Donald was born in Sun Wui, China and at the age of 16 immigrated to Vancouver in 1948 along with his mother, May Leong Shee Nip. With the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1946, they were able to join Donald’s father, Sow Poy Nip in Canada.

Once in Canada, Donald worked hard to create a prosperous life for his family - starting at the family grocery store (Eatmore Market) and then at local canneries - before moving on to work as a night foreman at Slade and Stewart. Once Donald and Esther saved enough money, Donald became a general contractor and built apartment buildings and Vancouver Specials.

As he became more established, he often gave back to his community - serving as the president of the Kwong Chow Benevolent Association for 20 years. During this time, he helped the Benevolent Association to raise capital to secure a building for their new headquarters and create boarding rooms for underserved pensioners. In addition, Donald helped to create a small school in his home village in China. With daughters in teaching careers and being a huge supporter of education, Donald became a pioneer in cultural and educational development for UBC Education students through immersive tours of Vancouver’s Chinatown. By providing contacts and opening doors into the community, he contributed to a wider scope and sequence of multicultural studies.

Donald will always be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved food, gardening and travel. Whether you were a tenant in his apartment building or a neighbor he encountered on his daily walks, Donald always made time to ask about family and the precious things in life.

At this time, the family wishes to thank Mr. Nip’s (YeYe’s) caregivers, Fraser Health staff, and Dr. Ngui for their care.

A memorial service will be held at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel on March 16th at 12:30pm.

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