It is with heavy hearts that the family of Kei Cheung Johnny Mak announce his peaceful passing at his home in Richmond on May 8, 2021. Johnny is survived by his adoring wife of 32 years, Karen, his daughter, Sonia (Stephen), and step-son Kevin (Catherine), and step-granddaughter, Klarissa.
Johnny was the third of 6 siblings, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Johnny’s first job was a technician with IBM, having trained in Singapore, specializing in electric typewriters and commercial calculators before the age of computers. He then became a supervisor to a team of technicians at Jetzen Company. With the rise of the use of computers, Jetzen closed its doors and Johnny adopted a new career as a life insurance agent with Manulife, and eventually at Jardin Life Insurance.
In 1986, Johnny met the love of his life, Karen. They were married on September 26, 1989 before giving birth to their daughter, Sonia.
After visiting Vancouver in 1992, Johnny and Karen decided to immigrate to Canada and did so in August 1994. He worked as a life insurance agent in Vancouver with Manulife until he decided to become a real estate agent.
With the declining real estate market in 2000, Johnny decided it was time to upgrade himself. He took computer courses at Kingston College and BCIT, later obtaining a Computer Science diploma at Kingston. Johnny also took courses in JavaScript and C++ at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and was later hired as a part-time lecturer. He taught and mentored students on computers and basic programming. After S.U.C.C.E.S.S. discontinued the courses, Johnny spent his days with family and friends singing, ballroom dancing, and trying different cuisines, entering the “entertainment business” as he liked to call it.
Eventually, with the encouragement of his family, he challenged and passed the real estate exam again and joined Regent Park Fairchild Realty Inc.
Johnny shared many of his passions with his family, particularly his love of travel and food. He was very fortunate to have visited almost half the world, always with Karen by his side.
Johnny was an avid golfer. Regardless of the weather, you would always find him honing his skills and laughing it up with his golfing buddies.
More than anything, Johnny loved being with family and friends. He had a fantastic sense of humour and was always the life of the party. Although taken away from us too soon, Johnny has left us with a lifetime of happy memories and will be forever missed.
Due to current pandemic restrictions, a small private (by invitation only) funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. PDT. Webcast information and condolences will be available through the Forest Lawn Funeral Home website.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Richmond Hospital (https://www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com/mr-kei-cheung-johnny-mak-memorial-fundraiser/) or Heart and Stroke Foundation (http://support.heartandstroke.ca/goto/johnnymak) in his memory is welcomed.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18