Herbert Chow

It is with very heavy heart to share that our dad, husband, grandfather and amazing friend, Herb Chow, passed away early Tuesday morning on March 21, 2023. Herbie defied all the odds after being on kidney dialysis for 11 years and suffering 4 massive strokes last May. Born July 21, 1935 in Vancouver, BC to George and Mary Chow who had a family of 9 children. . . Chow Vegas has now left the building.

Herb was a loved, admired, and respected pillar of the Mission and Abbotsford community. Those who knew Herbie will remember how he brightened up any function as soon as he walked in. He was our Hero. Herbie passed peacefully of cardiac arrest while putting on his socks, at the young age of 87; although he told everyone he was 91. If you knew him, you’d agree that the world has lost one of the genuine good guys and the stories are already coming out.

In 1974 Herbie built and opened the Mandarin Palace in Mission – just another job after their regular day job! Many in the Fraser Valley took his Chinese cooking class at Fraser Valley College, when he penned his first Chinese cookbook. Herbie had 2 cooking shows on TV, “Cooking with Herbs & Spices” and “Chowtime”. Herbie was a hard worker, ending his career as Chief Engineer at Mission Memorial Hospital after 29 years, then opening Abbotsford’s first dollar store, Dollarland, where kids flocked to see the POG Father every day after school.

RW Bro. Herbert F.T. Chow, was initiated into Blue Mountain Lodge No. 182 AF&AM in 1980, was Worshipful Master in 1990, and served the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia and Yukon as District Deputy Grand Master of District 16 in 2013. An honourary member of Pacific Lodge No. 16, his long masonic career included service as Right Excellent Companion, Grand Superintendent, Royal Arch Masons of British Columbia and Yukon, Illustrious Master, Worshipful Commander (WCN), Preceptor of the York Rite. BC Consistory of the Scottish Rite, Order of the High Priesthood, Priest of the Royal Arch Knight Templar, and the Red Cross of Constantine. As a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, Gizeh Temple, he performed with the Gizeh Shrine Temple Oriental Band.

Herbie is lovingly remembered by his loving wife of 63 years, Lorraine Chow; their children, Burgess, Lisa (Gordon), Brian (Cynthia) and their 6 grandchildren Stephanie, Benjamin, Nicholas, Brayden, Brooklyn and Kaitlyn who will miss him greatly, along with his extensive extended family and many, many friends.

Let’s celebrate Herbie’s life on Saturday, April 8 at 2:00pm at Abbotsford Pentecostal Church (North) 3145 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford. , Herb lived a life full of gratitude, and in honour of his amazing life, donations to the Shriner’s Hospital would be appreciated.