James Yee-Sheung Lo

With profound sadness, we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of James Y.S. Lo at the age of 68 years. He died of complications due to lung cancer treatment. James’ final moments were at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

He is survived by his wife Susan, children; Kimberley and Timothy (Lindsay and granddaughter to be), siblings; Peter (Terry) of Edmonton, Paul (Paula) of Hong Kong, Margarita of Macau, and Teresa (Kwok Yu) of Hong Kong, nieces; Nomie (Rob) of Oakville, Francisca (Takuya) of Hong Kong, and Janvier (Billy) of Hong Kong, nephews; Michael (Eliza) of Edmonton, Patrick of Vancouver, and Augustine (Shirley) of Toronto, grandnephews; Ethan and Oliver, grandnieces; Isabella, Alena, Clara and Hannah.

James was born in China, raised in Hong Kong and immigrated to Edmonton in 1971 at the age of 19 to complete his education. He became a Canadian citizen 1977. He worked in the restaurant business, then as a roofer and finally as an estimator for metal siding and decking until his retirement in 2016. He met Susan in 1975 and they married in 1977.

James joined Chun’s Taekwondo in 1971 and following the retirement of Grandmaster D.K Chun, took over in 1982. Over the course of 49 years in taekwondo, he achieved First Class International Referee Status, 9th Dan black belt and participated in, coached, officiated and refereed a great many taekwondo competitions both nationally and internationally. Known as Grandmaster Lo, he was a longtime member of the Alberta Taekwondo Association and served on its Board for many years in varying capacities, including as President. He was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for over 30 years of volunteering. He also received the Sport Alberta Official of the Year Award and was nominated for the Sports Hall of Fame. Taekwondo was his passion.

James was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2019. Despite his diagnosis, he was accepting of the circumstances, come what may. He always said there was no point in worrying about something you cannot change and to make the best of a bad situation. He completed 30 radiation and 2 chemotherapy treatments by the end of January 2020 and had begun a one-year course of immunotherapy maintenance treatments when he developed radiation pneumonitis. While he and his family remained optimistic that this was but another bump in the road to recovery, his symptoms worsened and he passed away a week later from a possible pulmonary embolism.

James was looking forward to the birth of his first granddaughter, the daughter of Tim and Lindsay Lo, due at the end of April.

While he was strong-willed and often stubborn, he was also incredibly kind-hearted and generous. He will be remembered as a caring husband, a supportive father, a fierce leader, a beloved mentor and a dear friend.

We would like to acknowledge the compassion and professionalism demonstrated by the EMS and EPS responders, Dr. Chu and nurse; Jacie and all the staff he met at the Cross Cancer Institute during his treatments.

In lieu of sending flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice, the Cross Cancer Institute or Chang Moo Taekwondo Society towards to a legacy fund to support its members and activities (e-tranfers can be sent to [email protected] or cheques payable to Chang Moo TKD Society.

Mail c\o Linda Kwan PO Box 506 Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1