Mr. Yih Lie Chen

Yih Lie Chen born in Taipei, Taiwan to Tien Shou and Yiu Niu Chen on July 24, 1935, entered into eternal rest on June 15, 2015 at NY Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, he was 79 years old. Beloved husband of Min Tzu Chen. Loving father of Russell Chen, Joyce Post, and Leo Chen and his wife Sung. Cherished Pa of Angelica Chen, Patrick Post, Christopher Chen, James Post, Madison Chen, and Penelope Chen.

Pa always put everyone before himself. To call him a hero would be an understatement.

It’s hard to find the words to even capture who he was and the virtues he embodied but I can

try.

Without question, he placed his family at the center of his life and hardly ever had

concern for himself. Affectionately calling all his grandchildren “golden grandson” or “golden

granddaughter,” he’d spoil us to no end, especially me and James. He’d always buy the special

treats and snacks he knew we liked. Every day after I’d return from a tiring commute, he’d offer

to dice up some mangoes for me to eat. I hardly ever washed dishes or took out the trash. Not

because I’m a lazy ingrate, but because Pa refused to let me. He did it all on his own. For all his

years he had even more vigor, fortitude, and wisdom. He’d always joke about being ancient,

claiming to be somewhere from 95 to 110 years old. I guess I picked up on his sense of humor a

bit. But even with his claims being false, he was extraordinary not only for his age, but for a

human being. Pa was a father figure to me. He taught me right from wrong and was always

cautious. He kept his loved ones safe and before himself always. He was a loving grandfather,

father, husband, and friend. He will live on in our hearts forever, his spirit as unbreakable as his

resolve.