Obituary of York Kue Chan

February 14, 2021

York Kue Chan
March 19, 1932 – February 14, 2021

York K. Chan, the former President of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), passed away on Sunday, February 14, at age 92. During his extraordinary lifetime, his love for all was evident in his tremendous contributions to Chinese-Americans, the Chinatown community in New York, and others in need.

Mr. Chan grew up in Guangzhou, China, and immigrated to the United States in 1979. He operated a farm in Long Island and became actively involved with the Chinatown community after his retirement. He served in multiple capacities in Chinese-American community organizations: President Advisor of CCBA, President and Convener of the Advisory Board of Lin Sing Association, Honorary President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Advisor of Gee How Oak Tin Association, Board of Director of United Orient Bank, President of National Sun Yat-sen University Alumni Association of East America, President of Pui Ching Alumni Association of the Eastern USA Chapter, Chairman of New York Chinese School, Chairman of Chinatown Day Care Center, and others.

During Mr. Chan's tenure as the CCBA President (also known as the Mayor of Chinatown) from 2004-2006, his inspirational leadership led Chinatown to recover from the devastating impact of the 9/11 attack. He successfully coordinated a community round table meeting in Chinatown and requested resources from the local and federal government. These efforts later led to the founding of Chinatown Partnership Local Development Cooperation (CPLDC) and Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID). Mr. Chan promoted and coordinated voter registration in the Chinese-American communities and encouraged citizens to vote in elections. He successfully organized the mayoral and borough presidential debates in Chinatown for the Democratic candidates, bringing awareness to the issues affected by Chinese-Americans.

Mr. Chan's concerns about Chinese-American affairs extended well beyond Chinatown. During his term as CCBA President, he worked with the community to raise over $800K for the victims of the 2004 Tsunami in Asia and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. After he served as CCBA president, he founded an education foundation to encourage Chinese students to pursue higher education and to assist their community. His considerable and continuous efforts have been recognized by both the U.S. and the Chinese government.

Mr. Chan peacefully passed away from complications due to COVID-19 at New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital on Sunday, February 14. Due to the pandemic, the family will host a private funeral. Mr. Chan is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Victoria (Michael) Chan-Frazier, and granddaughter Phoenix Chan-Frazier as well as a close community of dear friends with whom he shared his life. He was a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Although he will be greatly missed, his legacy of love and generosity continues.

The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, any donations made in his memory be made to the New York Chinese School to help continue his rich and everlasting legacy. www.nychineseschool.org

Funeral Services

Visitation

February 21, 2021

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Crestwood Memorial Chapel

199 Bleecker Street, Crestwood Funeral Home

New York, NY 10012

Get Directions

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Dearest Linda, Victoria, Michael, Pheonix (Phe-Phe), family, and friends, We are devastated at the passing of our beloved Victor. We mourn with all of you. We will always cherish the time we have spent with him throughout the years and remember him for his kindness and love. His love and pride of his family was deep and evident in every smile and laughter. He was truly blessed to be surrounded by a loving family and friends. He was also respected by his community for all his tireless contributions. His beautiful legacy of love and value of education and community continues.


Posted by: diana weng - Foster City, CA - February 21, 2021

My heart is with you all as we grieve together Victor's passing and also to celebrate his amazing legacy.


Posted by: Mary Weng - Burlingame, CA - February 21, 2021

My heart goes out to you all during this difficult time. Though I did not have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Chan, I can see what a loving daughter he raised. Sending loving thoughts from San Francisco.


Posted by: Tora Chung - San Francisco, CA - February 21, 2021

I am sorry for your loss. My heart is with you and your family during this difficult time.


Posted by: Meihui Shi - , CA - February 21, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Chan but it looks like he lived a long and such a full life with so many experiences and accomplishments. And from my conversations with Victoria, he cherished his family and they cherished him. Much love


Posted by: Saisie Jang - San Francisco, CA - February 21, 2021

Dear Victoria,

I was so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I'm thinking about you and sending you lots of love and prayers. May God give you and your family comfort and strength!

Love,
Clarissa


Posted by: Clarissa Tom - San Francisco, CA - February 22, 2021

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. I'm very sorry for your loss. While I never got to meet Mr. Chan, he seemed like an incredible man, full of good will and service throughout his life. May you find comfort in the legacy he has left and all who he touched. May he rest in paradise. Xoxo


Posted by: kristen l - Studio City, CA - February 22, 2021

Victoria,
So sorry for your lost. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Helen Wu and family


Posted by: Helen Wu - San Francisco, - February 22, 2021

Dear Victoria,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Our prayers are with you.

Sincerely yours,

Huang Widjaja Family


Posted by: Max Huang - Los Angeles, CA - February 22, 2021

Victoria,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your father was an extraordinary man who lived an amazing life and I'm sure he is most proud of his beautiful, loving daughter. YOU ARE AN AMAZING, Victoria!!
Many prayers, peace, strength and love to all of you. Wishing you the very best!

Chris


Posted by: Chris Yen - Los angeles, AR - February 22, 2021

My deepest condolences Victoria, to you and your family. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.


Posted by: Alice and Eddie Chew - San Francisco, CA - February 22, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing, Victoria. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Sending you all lots of love and healing energy.


Posted by: Karina Hsieh - Oakland, - February 22, 2021

Deepest condolences


Posted by: Helen Wu - San Francisco, CA - February 22, 2021

RIP


Posted by: andy cheng - Porter ranch, CA - February 22, 2021

What a gift to have been able to call each other family. Throughout all the leadership roles that he took on, it was obvious that he was deeply loved. What a life he's had. He is now an angel watching peacefully over all of us.


Posted by: Lizzy Noriega Weng - Glendale, CA - February 21, 2021

Rest In Peace


Posted by: Nini Yang - Fountain Hill, AZ - February 22, 2021

Dear Mr. Chan,

We are thinking of you always... we hope to someday see you again. Thank you for everything you have done for the family and raising Auntie Victoria whom we love so much. Your memory will live on through the amazing family that you have been a part of.

With so much love, Diana & Kyle


Posted by: Diana Norieg Weng - San Carlos, CA - February 21, 2021

I am a friend of the families. I am very sorry for your loss and want to send my condolences. I hope you will my solace in an incredible he had lived.


Posted by: Karen Chi - San Mateo, CA - February 22, 2021

I am so sorry for you loss, Victoria. My deepest condolences to you and your family.❤


Posted by: Tohoru Masamune - Los Angeles, CA - February 22, 2021

I will always remember his kindness and love. Our deepest affections and love to the Chan family. xoxoxo


Posted by: Elisabeth Wong - Foster City, CA - February 22, 2021

Our memories of cherished times together will never fade. Much love to the Chan family. We celebrate a truly honorable man.


Posted by: Christien Wong - Foster City, CA - February 22, 2021

We will always treasure the times we spent together. May he rest in power.


Posted by: Aaren Wong - foster city, CA - February 22, 2021

Hope Mr. Chan R.I.P.


Posted by: Joe Tam - Hong Kong, - February 24, 2021