SECHAI NESTOR SI CHUA passed away peacefully under the gentle and loving care of families, friends and staff of Vancouver General Hospital, in the Emergency and Palliative Care Unit. He battled pancreatic cancer and underwent Chemotherapy treatment at CCABC. On September 26th , he collapsed due to general weakness and obtained head injury, which then caused his death on September 27, 2022.
Sechai was born on August 20, 1958 in Quezon City, Philippines from pure Chinese parents - King Wan Chua and Mary Hua Si. He is the eighth child from 10 siblings, and just celebrated his 64th birthday last August.
Sechai is survived by his wife Criselda (Cristy) Chua and son, Michael Chua (wife Iris) and grandson Nolan Michael Boon Chua. He will be lovingly remembered by his 7 siblings residing in Canada: Josefina, Rosita, Sehing Faustino, Sepin Andrew, Helen, Lugene and James; and 3 residing in the Philippines: Faustina, Sezon and Seban; and by his 36 total of nephews and nieces.
He studied in Mater Carmeli Elementary School, University of santo Thomas in high school and graduated with honours for BS Aeronautical Engineering at Feati University, Manila Philippines.
In August 1983, he moved to Canada to study BS Computing Science major in Computer Programming, and minor in Math at Simon Fraser University (SFU), BC, Canada. He graduated in 1987.
Sechai married his friend and soulmate Cristy Divina Ancheta on June 27, 1987 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kamloops, BC. They recently celebrated their milestone 35th wedding anniversary.
He worked from home full-time for 25 years as technical support and computer programmer at Maves International Software, until his last day, September 26, 2022, the day he was taken by ambulance to VGH ER. He worked hard, was dedicated, committed and loyal worker who wanted to make use of his brain until the last minute of his life.
Sechai was a highly active member of the Legion of Mary in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, a man of great faith, sacrificial love, prayers and dedicated service to others. He lived his life to the fullest in the Legion of Mary spirit.
Sechai will be fondly remembered for his kind excellent service to Legion members, particularly for being a dedicated driver, giving rides to every member especially the elderly and Junior Legionaries. He was an officer of the Legion in various positions, started many Praesidia in different parishes, visited hundreds of homes for Family Rosary Crusade (Block Rosary), and led PPC (Peregrinatio Pro Christo), traveling for Christ – Legion evangelization extension work in several towns and cities of British Columbia. He was very fulfilled and happy to consume the mileage and gas of his van for Legion of Mary purposes.
Before he died, he went for the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation on the first Saturdays of August and September. Sechai received the anointing of the sick on September 24th at home by Fr. Denis Lakatos, and on his death bed by Fr. Gilbert Nunez. Bishop Emeritus David Monroe conferred his blessings and prayers after his death in the hospital.
Viewing, Prayers, Funeral Mass and Reception will on Saturday, October 15, 2022, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 3040 Heather Street, Vancouver. Burial at 2:00 PM at Gardens of Gethsemane cemetery, 15694 32nd Avenue, Surrey, BC.