September 10, 2021, Boston — Man Ho Chan, aged 68, of Bedford, MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 7 after a long, courageous and private battle with cancer. He was Commander of American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328.
Mr. Chan leaves behind his wife of 42 years Paula (Yee) Chan, son Adam Chan and his wife Alison (Boyle) Chan and their son Simon (4 months) of Medfield, daughter Jennifer (Chan) Richards and her husband Raymond Richards and their daughters Ruby (4) and Scarlett (1) also of Medfield. He is survived by his parents Shia Via and Chun Ngor Chan and brothers Stephen and his late wife Fanny, Mark and his wife Gina, late brother Kevin and his wife Donna, and his sister Alice and her husband Walter. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Man Ho was a veteran serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War from 1973 to 1976 and was most recently the Commander of the American Legion Post 328 of Chinatown in which he was very active. He was also very involved in bettering the local Chinatown community holding several leadership positions in various Chinatown Associations, including Advisor for Gee How Oak Tin Association of New England and Grand Vice-President for their National Chapter, Shun Yi Association. He could often be seen shaking hands with everyone from local restaurant staff to politicians in Boston.
Man Ho grew up in the South End of Boston where he practiced Martial Arts as a teen. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1979 and worked at Teradyne, Inc., for over 40 years where he was an Electrical Engineer.
He loved to travel the world with his beloved wife and their group of devoted friends – who were there for him until the very end.
Donations can be made in his honor to American Legion Chinatown Post 328, 90 Tyler Street, Boston, MA 02111
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Man Chan, please visit Tribute Store.
Visitation
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Wing Fook Funeral Home
13 Gerard Street
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Statement from American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our Post Commander, Man Ho Chan. Man Ho was a member of the Vietnam War era.
He was born in Hong Kong and grew up in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts and went to Boston English High School. He joined the US Navy in January of 1973 to December of 1975 and served as the Ship Serviceman Barber (SHB3) on board the U.S.S. Mount Vernon (LSD-39). In April 1975, during the Fall of Saigon, the USS Mount Vernon was one of the many ships that participated in Operation Frequent Wind, evacuating American civilians and refugees in Vietnam.
After the service, Man Ho came back to Boston and continued his education and graduated from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1979 and worked at Teradyne, Inc., for 39 years as an Electrical Engineer.
He joined the American Legion in 2012 and was elected to Sgt-at-Arms (2013-2015), Jr. Vice Commander (2015-2017), Sr. Vice Commander (2017-2019), and then elected Post Commander in 2019 to the present. Man Ho participated and led many activities throughout the years, including our annual toy drives, Memorial Day flag planting, and our many parades. Him and his wife, Paula were very active in the Chinatown community, having been involved with several Chinatown organizations, including the Gee How Oak Tin Association of New England and the Shun Yi Association, among a few.
We are grateful for our Commander’s service and for the many years he has dedicated to the Legion and to the Chinatown community.
Fair winds and following seas, Commander. We salute you.