Our family is deeply saddened to announce that Edward passed away at his home in Vancouver, surrounded by his family, on February 25, 2021. Beloved husband to Marina and loving father to Alfred (Shirley), William (Elizabeth), Alan (Vickie). Loving grandfather to Randall, Cynthia, Andrea, Derek, Matthew and Timothy. Brother to Yeuk Pang and Yeuk Kwai. Edward was predeceased by his parents, Shui Kay and Kwan Chee, and by his siblings, Chiu Seung and Yeuk Wai.
Edward was born on Nam Cheung Street in Kowloon, Hong Kong on October 1, 1930. He was brought up by his parents in Hong Kong with his three brothers and sister. He lived with his family at No. 342 Shanghai Street, Yaumati, Kowloon from 1937 to 1945 and attended Yaumati Government School. After completing secondary school at Queen’s College, HK (1951), he received professional teacher training from the Grantham Training College (1956), which was the beginning of Edward’s life long contributions to education and in particular special education in both Hong Kong and Canada.
After receiving his professional teacher training, Edward joined as a teacher at the Perth Street Government School in Kowloon, HK (1956) before being awarded a government scholarship (1960) for advanced education studies at the University of Birmingham, England, where he obtained training in the education of blind students. Upon his return to Hong Kong from England, Edward was appointed as an Inspector of Schools (Special Education and Supervisor of Teaching Training) for the Hong Kong Department of Education (1961).
In 1967, Edward first visited Vancouver during a work trip to North America. Awed by Vancouver’s natural beauty, the visit solidified Edward and Marina’s decision to immigrate to Canada. On November 3, 1967, Edward, Marina and their three sons arrived in Canada on a sunny, cold Vancouver day. This was the beginning of a wonderful new life for the family in Canada.
Edward obtained a position as a teacher at the Jericho Hill School for Blind Children where he taught from 1968 to 1974. A life long learner, Edward obtained his Master of Education, specializing in school administration and special education, from Washington State University in 1972. In 1974, he became an education consultant (special education) for the Alberta Department of Education and, in 1980, Edward was appointed the British Columbia Ministry of Education’s Director of Special Education, Vision Services, in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1988.
In the same year as his retirement, Edward was appointed as Director of the Hong Kong Student Selection Office established by the British Columbia Ministry of Education in Hong Kong (1988). During his three years in the office, Edward assisted many school districts from British Columbia in the recruitment and selection of hundreds of students from Hong Kong to study in British Columbia as international students.
Afterwards, he continued his student recruitment and counselling services for students from both Hong Kong and China for more than a decade through his company, Pacific-Rim Education Services, Inc.
Throughout his distinguished years of service, Edward devoted his life’s work to the education of young people, with a particular focus on special education for blind and visually impaired children. He has been involved in elementary, secondary and special education, as well as teacher training for teachers working with special needs children, both in Hong Kong and Canada.
Inside and outside the classroom, Edward was a true gentleman. Unfailingly positive, humble and dignified, he was incredibly generous with his time and energy. All who met him immediately felt at ease with his friendly manner and easy smile. He was keenly interested in the local community and beyond, always striving to help and improve the lives of others around him. In his retirement, Edward served as a board member of the Vancouver Public Library, enjoyed opera, photography, his travels to Asia, keeping up with world events (a daily regimen of English and Chinese language newspapers), researching family history, his computer, videography and Hi-Fi hobbies, and playing with his grandchildren who are his pride and joy.
Edward’s pride and joy was his family and especially his grandchildren. He loved his family ardently and unconditionally, and never stopped to teach, guide and nurture. His surviving family will forever honour this special, pioneering individual, whom we have been so blessed to be able to call brother, father and grandfather.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private service will be held on March 5th, 2021. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider making a donation to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), a charity very close to Edward’s heart. Donations can be made by cheque (in memory of Edward YP Lau) and mailed to: CNIB Foundation, In Memory Program, Suite 201B - 610 6th St., New Westminster, BC, V3L 3C2.
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