George Mun-Kai Quan Jr.

Longtime Sacramento businessman and family man George Quan, Jr. passed peacefully Wednesday, January 14, 2015. He was 87. Throughout his life, he was admired as a convivial, dedicated and loving man.

George was born September 24, 1927 in Sacramento as the eldest of seven children. His father, George Quan, Sr., emigrated from China in 1915 and founded the Eye Street Bridge Market in Broderick, where George Jr. started working at the age of 13. While working at the market, he also graduated from Sacramento High School in 1945. He served his country as a sergeant in the Army until 1956.

George, along with his brothers Richard, James, Gordon and Henry and sisters Betty and Mae, lead the expansion of Eye Street Bridge Market into Giant Foods markets, an innovative chain of supermarkets in the 1950’s and 1960’s. During those years he served numerous industry leadership posts including President of the Northern California Grocers’ Association, President of the Chinese Grocers’ Association and Head of the North Highlands Chamber of Commerce. In subsequent years, George transformed the business into Quan Properties, a family partnership holding income producing properties and development land. He invested in the growth and development of some of Sacramento’s then-emerging areas, including North Highlands, Elk Grove and West Sacramento. George will be remembered by his business partners as an elder statesman and a unique visionary.

George will be immensely missed by his entire family, including his loving wife of 62 years, Margie, and his loving children, Jackie (Gary), Steven, Deborah (Edward) and Karyn (Jeffery). A fifth daughter, Georganne (Phil), passed away in 2004. He will be equally missed by his grandchildren Derek, Taryn, Garret, Kelcey, Cole, Pierce, Winslow and Kai. He also leaves behind his brother Richard and wife Gayle; brother Gordon and wife Lillian; sister Betty and husband Allen; sister Mae; and sister-in-law Dixie. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Mary Quan, his brothers James and Henry, and brother-in-law Gerald.

He will be remembered by his friends as a gregarious and caring character who had a passion for music, dancing and traveling. He was known for his unending belief in persistence and perseverance. Above all, he was known for his infinite love of his family.

Family and friends are invited for memorial services Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 11:00AM at Harry A. Nauman & Son, 4041 Freeport Boulevard and interment at East Lawn Memorial Park, with a reception following. Visitation will be held at Harry A. Nauman & Son on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM.