Kiem Lay Thio

Thio Kiem Lay was born on May 17, 1945, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, and passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at Vancouver Hospice Society, with his son and beloved dog Luna by his side. To family and friends, he was simply Ie-O. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Henny, his son George, and his sisters Kiem Lan, Giok Lan, Sioe Lan, and Mey Lan

At the age of two, Ie-O moved from Bali to Bandung, where much of his childhood and youth were spent. At the age of 20, he made the bold decision to leave for Germany in 1965, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him to Canada, where he married, started a family, and built his life. That willingness to step into the unknown — with courage, faith, and optimism — remained a defining part of who he was.

He was deeply gregarious and had a natural gift for connecting with people. Whether with friends, family, or strangers, he brought warmth, curiosity, and openness into every interaction. He was, at heart, a dreamer and an explorer — someone who approached life with energy, positivity, and an enduring sense of possibility.

This spirit was especially evident in the way he faced life’s challenges. A man of deep faith and an eternal optimist, he met even serious illness with remarkable resilience and hope. In his final days, he continued to speak of recovery, reflecting the mindset that had carried him through so much of his life.

Ie-O had a lifelong passion for learning, technology, and current affairs. During his years at IBM, he embraced innovation with enthusiasm, and his family remembers a home filled with new ideas and new tools — from state-of-the-art electric typewriters to the first personal computer. He rarely missed the nightly news and was always eager to understand the world around him.

He also instilled in his son, George, a deep appreciation for learning and discipline. From a young age, he encouraged reading and curiosity — even rewarding each book read with a small payment — planting the seeds for a lifelong love of learning and exploration.

He had a special affection for animals, especially dogs, from the family’s early Shelties to Luna, his loyal “buddy” in recent years. Their companionship brought him comfort, joy, and quiet companionship in his later life.

Ie-O will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his resilience, his faith, and the warmth he brought to those around him. His life was one of courage, movement, and connection, and his memory will remain deeply cherished by his family and all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:30 AM at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC V3N 2G6, followed by refreshments.

Kindly RSVP

tinyurl.com/kiemthioRSVP