John Heet Ghin Wong

John was born in China on February 4, 1952, and immigrated to Boston in 1961. He attended the Mission Grammar School and Boston Latin High School. He graduated from Harvard College and received his Ph.D from MIT in urban planning and development.

John started his career at Oxfam, then became Executive Director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, before devoting many years to the Education Development Center, working on policies and innovative solutions around educational reform for the poor and homeless. He worked tirelessly to help others and volunteered his time to many Catholic, civic and social organizations.

John and his wife Mee Chan founded the Boston Catholic Chinese Community Children’s Program and operated it for over 30 years, making a lifelong impact on many children in and around Boston’s Chinatown.

John also served on the board of directors for the Action for Boston Community Development and the Massachusetts Coalition of the Homeless, and also volunteered as a Dover EMT. He was a lifelong chess enthusiast, most recently volunteering to teach and play chess at the Norfolk County Correctional Facility. Outside of work and volunteering, he was an avid Boston sports fan, lover of animals, and published author.

Above all, John treasured time with family and friends, always ready with a big smile, many jokes, and unconditional love and support.

John is survived by his beloved wife Mee Chan, his mother Wah, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Kevin Winther, grandchildren Ronan and Sophia, siblings Joe, Eleanor, and Susan, and many nephews and nieces.

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Mass on Monday, May 29, 10 am at the St James the Greater Church, 135 Harrison Ave, Boston.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Massachusetts Coalition of the Homeless, 73 Buffum St, Lynn, MA 01902 https://mahomeless.org/johnwong/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://mahomeless.org/johnwong/ (or https://mahomeless.org/ and scroll to his picture)

And/Or

St James the Greater Church, 135 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111