Person

Chan, George Bun Wah

• 陳禀華

• Chan, Wah
• Chan, Bun Wo

1904-1966

George Bun Wah CHAN was born in Canada on April 4, 1904. He grew up in a large family, as the second son of 12 children born to CHAN Sui Lun, and Lore Shee. His father had a second wife, with whom he had three children—George’s step-siblings.

George’s father was born in the district of [順德區 Soon Duck] in 廣東 Guangdong province, and arrived in Victoria, BC, in 1890. Shortly after, he married Lore Shee, George’s mother and another native of 廣東 Guangdong, and brought her to Victoria. The family settled in Victoria’s Chinatown between Fisgard and Cormorant Streets.

During the day, George and his siblings attended English-language school in Victoria. After school, they attended the Chinese Public School on Fisgard Street from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The school had been established through money raised by local Chinese merchants and was located on the third floor of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association building.

As a young man, George worked as a tailor, and was responsible for purchasing food staples for the family, including rice, yook beng ("minced meat patties"), and tofu.

On August 26, 1923, he married Jane Chan. The couple had nine children together: Isabelle (b. 1926), Clara (b. 1927), Wallace (b. 1929), Bertha (b. 1931), June (b. 1932), Georgina (b. 1934), Donald (b. 1936), Gerald (b. 1937), and Florence (b. 1939). Their first daughter, Isabelle, was born in Victoria. In 1927, George and his growing family moved to Vancouver, where they settled in East Vancouver and had eight more children.

George continued to work as a tailor in Vancouver. With his brother, Charles, George became a part owner of the Kent & Co. Tailor Shop.

During the Great Depression, tailoring work was scarce. Consequently, in the late 1930s, George and his extended family discussed moving back to China. George, his mother, and Charles’ wife wanted to return, while Charles was against it. George returned to China in 1939, and planned for his children and wife to follow six months later. George signed over his shares in Kent & Co. to Charles, giving his brother complete control in his absence.

Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of WWII, George’s family was unable to follow him, and George was forced to remain in China until 1947. While he was away, his wife Jane Chan ran a Seafood Market on Fraser Street in Vancouver from 1940 to 1943, with the help of her oldest daughters, son, and friends.

George Chan passed away in 1966 in Vancouver.

Description supplied by collector/curator