Johnson M Chan

Johnson Moulun Chan (aka Mr. Chan or Chan to friends and clients) made his final transition the morning of July 29, 2024 at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife (Michelle), his siblings (Jimmy, Steven, Tommy, Jenny, John and William) and their spouses, his children (Melissa, Jen, Joe and Gavin) and their respective spouses, his beloved grandchildren (Jason, Olivia, Tessa, Megan, Marcus and Leah), caring nieces and nephews, and his wide and deep friendships he made throughout his lifetime who he considered his extended family.

Dad always lived his life the best way he knew how, even when he was a youth in China and later in Hong Kong. While his sense of fun and mischief would sometimes get him into trouble, he remained true to himself as a perennial life learner, characterized by his limitless curiosity, fearlessness and indomitable spirit. In overcoming adversities in his childhood, he was fiercely loyal and developed a drive and determination that modeled strength and possibility for his siblings throughout his lifetime.

Dad and his former wife, Alice made big sacrifices in moving their young family to America in 1978 with an unwavering goal of providing a better future for their three children: Melissa, Jen and Joe. The family settled in Boston with the help of his sister, Jenny who made his American dream possible; for this, he and Alice will be forever grateful.

Later in life, Dad met his current wife, Michelle. Together, they welcomed their beloved son, Gavin creating more beautiful and joyful family memories together. Michelle was a great partner to Dad and made sure he never felt alone.

Anyone who had the opportunity to spend time with Dad would have seen him light up whenever he spoke about his children and grandchildren. He always considered his oldest daughter, Melissa to be a pillar of strength and caring for others. He complimented Jen for her kindness and heart. He loved Joe deeply and unequivocally, chuckling whenever he recognized himself in his first son. Gavin was his youngest and was able to give Dad many wonderful father-son memories that he cherished in his later years.

Dad was equally proud of his grandchildren. He would compliment Jason for his smarts and character, who would always have a special place in his heart as his first grandchild. He loved Olivia’s fun spirit and was thrilled they shared a common zeal for life and adventure. Tessa blew him away with her sweetness and artistic skills, similar to his own artistry that he cultivated in his professional and personal pursuits. Dad had a special connection with Marcus and always beamed when talking about what an impressive young man Marcus had become. Dad loved Megan’s beautiful smile, and her perseverance and grit were sources of great pride for him. He also adored his sweet granddaughter, Leah who embodied the goodness in people that made his heart full and enriched.

In addition to his family through blood, Dad adopted a family of friends whom he cherished and loved very deeply. His friends enabled him to live life to the fullest as he pursued his passions for hairstyling, Wing Chun, ballroom dancing, photography, gardening & landscape design, golf, storytelling, and on and on. His friendships gave him constant joy, love and companionship, and it is an understatement to say that he considered them to be one of his life’s greatest gifts and gratitudes.

As Dad prioritized finding joy in life, our family asks that you do the same knowing that this will honor his positivity and spirit with the people that he loved so dearly.

“A Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 7:00 to 9:00pm at William J. Devine Golf Course clubhouse at Franklin Park, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester, MA.

For those who wish to donate something, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe page has been established to help fulfill Dad’s dream of his youngest son, Gavin (16) achieving a brighter future enabled through education    https://gofund.me/b57351b5