Donald Whelan Chang

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Don who will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by his two children, daughter Kasha and son Ewan. Don was predeceased by his father Henry and mother Mari. He is also survived by his brother Martin (Joan), nieces Megan and Jaime and nephew Adam. Among the many also left to remember Don are aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, colleagues, former students and Ewan’s family, siblings Grace and Ethan and their mother Susan.

Don was born in Vancouver, BC where he spent the majority of his life. He was the valedictorian of the John Oliver class of 1975. After high school he obtained his Bachelor Arts and Law degrees from the University of BC. Called to the bar in 1983, he fulfilled his dream of trying cases in front of judges and juries. After a law career, which included both legal aid and crown work, Don pursued his second profession and went back to UBC in his early 40s to become a public school teacher. He taught in various schools in Vancouver and continued to substitute teach after his retirement from Killarney High School in 2017.

An avid runner, Don completed twenty-three marathons and many more long distance runs mainly on the west coast of North America but was proudest of his four Boston Marathons between 2001 and 2004. Don tried to pass on his passion for running while also extolling the rewards of teamwork and training by dedicating much of his time to coaching both track and cross country teams at Killarney.

Other activities Don enjoyed included bicycling, skiing, reading, writing, painting, photography, movies, music, the Canucks and Seahawks.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held with the date yet to be determined. Updates will be posted on this memorial page. If you wish, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Kidney Foundation or charity of your choice in Don’s memory.