Yau Leung Lau

He leaves behind his wife Margaret (Man Kuen) Lau; three children, Jenny Lau Chan and her husband Richard; Robert Lau and his wife Stephanie; David Lau and his wife Torrey; as well as five grandchildren, Molly, Abby, Madison, Avery and Lorelei.

Born in Shanghai, Mr. Lau epitomized the classic American immigrant experience. In 1973, he left Hong Kong with his wife and three young children to pursue the American Dream in Boston. He worked long hours, and went to school in the evenings to learn English and gain U.S. citizenship.

Together with his wife, Mr. Lau owned three successful restaurants. The first was Great Shanghai in Newton, he later opened ChangSho in Cambridge’s Harvard Square and then reopened Great Shanghai in Needham Center.

While he may have only taken off one day a year from his restaurants for most of his working life, Mr. Lau always made time for family. His biggest love was spending time with his grandchildren, children and wife.

Mr. Lau remained active his entire life, all the way to the end. He loved taking care of his house, and could always be seen by neighbors shoveling snow, sweeping leaves and tidying up his yard.

The family will receive visitors at the J.S. Waterman-Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St, Boston on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 9:00 AM—11:45 AM. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery, 96 Grove St, Brookline. A luncheon will be held at Joyful Garden, 550 Arsenal St, Watertown at 2:00 PM.