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Joseph Yuen
June 4, 1942 - December 11, 2014
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<div itemprop="description">With a mixture of emotions we announce the passing of Joseph Yuen Yu Sun, loving husband, proud father and joyful grandfather. Family meant a great deal to Joe. He leaves behind his wife Carolynne, his four children, Jeremie, Malinda, Jenna and Matthew, sons-in-law Richard Van Dorp and Andre Jastrzebski, daughter-not-in-law Shauna Alcorn and two precious granddaughters Elizabeth and Alice, who made his last three years among the happiest he had lived and about whom he delighted in telling stories. He also leaves his Godchildren Godfrey Tong, Nicole Grondin, Eileen Tiamzon, Scott Redekopp, Delenn Boulet and adopted Goddaughter Danielle Grondin. They all held special places in his heart. He is also survived by four brothers and one sister and their spouses, children and grandchildren and his in-laws and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, Chack Kim and Loretta Yuen, his brother Robert and his unborn children named Robin and Christian. <br /> <br />Joe was born June 4, 1942. He had once thought he was born in Hong Kong, but was actually born in Shanghai, China - a fact that he did not discover until 1982. Somewhat of an adventurous soul, he headed to Montreal for school in 1963. He never made it. He decided to save $75 on airfare and landed in Winnipeg instead! He became a proud Canadian in 1973. <br /> <br />He attended the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969 and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 1972. And a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1976. He has organized a Class of '72 Pharmacy reunion every five years since 1977. He practised as a pharmacist for many years in Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He served on the board of the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association for eight years. He achieved the A. H. Robbins Bowl of Hygeia in 1987 for his contributions to the profession and the community. <br /> <br />You may not have known him personally, but if you have lived in Winnipeg, doubtless he has touched your life in some way. He felt it was of the utmost importance to give back to the community he so loved. He did so in every way he could and it gave him great joy to do so. <br /> <br />He served his beloved City of Winnipeg as City Councillor from 1989 through 1992 and worked hard to make this city better for all. <br /> <br />He was a tireless volunteer. He worked for many years with Folklorama, serving as President of The Folk Arts Council in 1989 and working for many years with the Chinese Pavilion. He worked to build the Winnipeg Chinese community in so many ways, including helping to establish the Winnipeg Chinese Community Centre, the Chinese Pagoda at Kings Park, and the Chinese Garden at Glen Eden. He was President of Dragon and Lion Dance International Canada, bringing world-class Chinese Lion and Dragon dance and competition to the city. He was very proud to share his culture with others. <br /> <br />He was a Grand Knight of several councils of the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered in many capacities with each of the churches he attended over the years, most recently St. Timothy's. Notably, he organized the second largest independent blood donor clinic in the province. He loved singing in the choir and helping to organize the annual musical production. He volunteered with Boy Scouts of Canada Manitoba Branch, and was instrumental in working with Canada Post to create a stamp to celebrate the Jubilee Celebration of the Boy Scouts of Canada. <br /> <br />He participated in the annual Ride, Stride and Glide event for the Kidney Foundation despite his increasing physical limitations. He was a top fundraiser for nearly every year of his participation. <br /> <br />He received the Canada 125 Award in 1992, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 amongst many, many other awards, for his volunteer efforts to benefit our community. <br /> <br />Joe found joy travelling and sharing food with family and friends. He loved Bruce Lee and James Bond movies and collecting flags. No flag was more beloved than the Canadian flag. He loved Christmas with his family and will be sorely missed this holiday season and always. <br /> <br />The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at the Health Sciences Centre GA4 ward for their care, kindness and humanity during such a difficult time. <br /> <br /></div>