Tributes
Chin – Wilfred Livingston
Wilfred Livingston Chin (also known as Wilbert Livingston Chen) was born to Tom Chen (immigrant from Guangdong, China to Jamaica) and Isabell (also known as Isabella) Gillies (immigrant from Panama to Jamaica) on September 16, 1932 in Summerfield, Clarendon, Jamaica, passed away peacefully at home on February 21, 2021 in Kanata, Ontario, Canada.
Wilfred’s father, Tom Chen, migrated from Guangdong, China to Jamaica in the early 1900’s and was an astute businessman owning a grocery store in Summerfield, Clarendon, Jamaica. Tom Chen died on November 1, 1974 at age 70 and is buried at the Chinese Cemetery in Kingston, Jamaica. Wilfred’s mother, Isabell Gillies, was born in Panama to Victoria Gillies. Victoria’s husband was Richard Gillies who went to Panama from Jamaica to work on the Panama Suez Canal. Soon after their marriage, Richard, his wife Victoria, and their daughter Isabell (Wilfred’s mother), returned to his homeland of Jamaica.
Wilfred was deeply affected by great loss at an early age in his life. Even though he carried this heavy burden throughout his life, no one would easily know because he had the most radiant smile and positive outlook on life. His two brothers Eric and Leonard died at an early age in Kingston, Jamaica. His brother Eric Joseph Gillies died as an infant on August 5, 1931, and his older brother Leonard Chin died at 7 years old on December 26, 1941. Wilfred was only 3 years old (a toddler) when his mother Isabell Gillies died at the young age of 22 years old on September 6, 1935 in Redcap, St. Catherine, Jamaica.
After the death of his mother Isabell, Wilfred was cared for by his beloved grandmother Victoria Gillies. Victoria was 78 years old when she died on July 14, 1948 in Barton’s, St. Catherine, Jamaica when Wilfred was only 16 years old. It was a very difficult chapter in his life. Wilfred had to “fend” for himself and started working to financially support himself at a very young age. God then blessed him with a loving, kind and generous family. Florie Marson (nee Leung) informally adopted him as her son and he resided with them at Mapletoft Ave., Kingston, Jamaica. He was always grateful and thankful for the support that he received from the Marson and Chin family in Kingston, Jamaica. In Jamaica, Wilfred worked as a driver for Royal Cremo, National Baking Company and Purity Bread.
Wilfred migrated to Canada in the early 1960’s in search of a better life. His surname was erroneously changed during the immigration process to “Chin” from his birth surname of “Chen.” In Canada, Wilfred worked in the kitchen of a hospital and later as a bus driver for OC Transport in Ottawa, Canada until his retirement in the 1990’s. He was very proud of his accident-free and impeccable driving record with OC Transport. During his retirement, Wilfred enjoyed cooking at home, working on his car and getting together with his family and friends. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
He was predeceased by his brothers Leonard Chin (7 years old) and Eric Joseph Gillies (infant). He is survived by his wife Ilrett Clarke-Chen, Wellington, Florida, USA; sister Adella Chong-Lyn (Dennis), New York, USA and sister Meeling Chen, China; children Dr. Sandra Chen-Walta (Cedrick), Miami, Florida, USA, Jacqueline McLean (Colin), Tamarac, Florida, USA, Michael Chin (Mirla), Kanata, Ontario, Canada, Natasha Chin, Los Angeles, California, USA; former daughter-in-law Marie Chin; stepchildren Richard Johnson (Lavern), Megan Thomas, Herman Clarke, Duke Clarke (Shirley), Audley Clarke (Janice), Gary Clarke and Allison Clarke; grandchildren Mark Miller, Cristina Miller, Colin McLean Jr., Dr. Michael McLean, Michelle McLean, Andrew McLean, Calysta Chin, Andrew (AJ) Chin, David Altamar, Christian McKnight, and Brandon McKnight; one great grandson Gabriel Michael Miller; niece Dr. Audrey Chong-Gayle (Humphrey), and nephew Andrew Chong (Leslie).
Due to COVID restrictions, funeral services will be private, held at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home at 3440 Richmond Rd., Nepean, Ontario, K2H 8H7, Canada on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:30 AM EST. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery at 4660 Bank St., Gloucester, Ontario, Canada. For those that wish to view the service through Livestreaming please click on the link below.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wilfred Livingston Chin September 16 1932 February 21 2021 (age 88)..
Death notice for the town of: Nepean, Province: Ontario