Passed away peacefully on December 21, 2011 at age 92. A native Victorian, Jack was predeceased by his loving wife Bessie; brother Kee; and sister Leona Mah. He is survived by brother Harry (Carol); sisters Jennie Lee, Beatrice Tang, and Ethel Lee-Ott (Edward) of Toronto; he also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and his godson Colin Joe (Donna), and their son Andrew.
Jack and Bessie operated Tang’s Pagoda Clothing Store on Douglas Street for over 50 years. He was a charter member of the Victoria Chinatown Lions Club, and an elder at the Chinese Free Mason (Dart Coon Club). Jack took pride in being a member of the first Victoria Chinese Scout Troop, formed in 1932. He was also a square dancer and figure skater in his younger years. In recognition of his community service, Jack was made an honorary citizen of Victoria. Jack will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
A funeral service and reception will be held at MCCALL BROS., Vancouver & Johnson Streets, Victoria, BC, on December 29, 2011 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Victoria Chinatown Community Care Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation, or the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities. Special thanks to the staff at Ross Place, Selkirk Place, and Glengarry Hospital for the care they gave Jack during the past few years.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
13 Responses
Brought me to the internet to look up his number and saw that he passed away. My mom Ann Rutledge is 93 soon to be 94 in December will be saddened by the news, as we both talk about the wonderful couple they were and how funny Jack was. I always lived his spoon for sugar.
I am very sorry I did not go to see him but medical issues prevented me. I will miss Jack just as I have missed Bessie…we both loved the yardage stores when they came to Seattle.
Roberta Rutledge Engelhart and family
I have thinking about Jack for sometime. I sent a Christmas card but it was not returned so I had no idea until this morning. I always called him Granpa Jack as my father was a Lion in district B and he and my mom were son #2 and daughter #2. I wish we had known sooner.
To the family you might of found pictures of my daughter Maegan with Jack and Bessie and many I sent them. If you did and would send them to me please email me.
The last time Jack and I talked on the phone we laughed about old times…told him I was not able to come visit him…I became disabled and needed a walker then…now I can not walk since an auto accident.
He wanted me to come so I could copy some of Bessies recipes…which briught
Dear Family of Jack C. Tang,
Please accept our condolences on Jack’s passing. We have known Jack and Bessie for many, many years and have fond memories of taking our children to sit in front of their store (on chairs provided by Jack and Bessie) to watch the Victoria Day parade. After the parade, Jack and Bessie would host a ‘pot luck’ lunch with Jack happily cooking up the hot dogs and onions.
Jack was a kind, caring and generous man, never speaking ill of anyone and giving freely of his time to anyone in need. We are saddened by his passing and feel blessed to have known him.
Sincerely,
Bruce, Darlene, Jason & Andrea Chan.