Wing Key Chan

Beloved husband of Kam Ling Chan, loving father and father in law of Mable (nee Chan) and Stan Ossias, David and Tanya Chan. Dear grandfather of Emily, Harrison, Kameron, Kailey and William.

Wing Key was born June 23, 1935, in Toishan, Guangdong, China. At the young age of 19 he left for Hong Kong to start his apprenticeship in goldsmithing. Here he developed his lifelong skills in jewellery making and craftsmanship. On October 28, 1962, he married his ‘sweetheart’ Kam Ling in Hong Kong and soon after started a family. It was July 1970 when the family immigrated to Winnipeg, to join his older brother Wing Koon and family.

Wing Key began work as a goldsmith at Silverman Jewellers, where he developed a strong relationship with the family and staff. After many years, he set out to start his own business, opening his first store in the summer of 1978, at 339 Portage Ave, North Side Centre. From this humble beginning, Wing Key, with the help of his son David and wife Kam Ling, established W K Chan Jewellers in Portage Place, September 1987. Over the years, W K Chan Jewellers grew to become a successful and recognizable retailer in Winnipeg, with locations in Polo Park, St Vital, and Brandon Manitoba.

Wing Key enjoyed fishing, and every weekend the family would drive to Lockport, and later White Shell, for a fun and relaxing day on the lake, fishing for bass and pickerel. He also loved watching the Winnipeg Jets, and became an avid hockey fan after moving to Canada. In the summers, watching football filled his weekends as he cheered for the Blue Bombers from home and the stadium. Wing Key started golfing in his 70’s and actively played with David, Stan and Harrison. The first annual W K Chan golf tournament was held in 1998, and was an event dedicated to raising funds for Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba Division).

Wing Key was always happy and smiling. He loved to get together with friends for dinner or coffee, and chat with everyone who stopped to say hello at the store. He will be remembered for his warm and generous spirit, and big heart.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He loved and was much loved; and will forever be in our hearts.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home.

Friends are welcome to participate at the outdoor funeral service for Mr. Chan on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 12:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard. Friends who choose to attend the outdoor service will be obliged to follow phase 3 Covid19 Restoring Safe Service guidelines, which will be in place on the day Mr. Chan is laid to rest at Thomson “In the Park” Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to be made to Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba Division) or The Dream Factory.