Chang Iuan Wang

With great sadness we announce the passing of Chang Iuan Wang, peacefully, at his home as was his final wish.  Devoted husband and father, he will be missed by his surviving wife Chiung Luan and his children, Jeanne and George, as well as many extended family members in Canada and Taiwan.

Born in Tainan, Taiwan, he was the oldest of 5 children. He survived the death of his younger sister and the hardships of World War 2.  As a result of the Japanese occupation until the end of the war, he became fluent in Japanese (as well as Mandarin, his native Taiwanese and English).  He developed a love of the outdoors and was known for his motorcycle trips around the country and hiking and mountain climbing trips on the many peaks in Taiwan.  He became the big brother to numerous extended family members and friends, often sought out for his wisdom and counsel.

Chang Iuan went into the great unknown in early 1971 and left his beloved Taiwan, emigrating to Canada, followed in July 1971 by his wife and very young children, to seek out a better life.  Settling in Toronto, first on Darcy St downtown and then to the Caledonia / Lawrence area of North York in subsidized housing. He became employed with DeHavilland Aircraft in Downsview in 1975, as an aircraft sheet metal worker. He and his wife worked tirelessly, long hours, weekends, often working most Saturdays and Sundays as well, to save for their first home.  They taught their children the value of honest, hard work at an early age.  In 1980, they bought their house in Etobicoke in which he would reside until his passing, 42 years later.

Despite being of modest means, Chang Iuan ensured his family got to explore the great outdoors.  With his VW camper, he took the family on journeys to the Maritimes in 1975 and the west coast in 1976, exploring this vast beautiful country he adopted as his new homeland.  Along the way there were countless summer camping trips throughout Ontario and the northeast United States.  He loved the outdoors. Not well known, he collected stamps and coins at times in the past.  In his latter years, he enjoyed regular morning meet ups with his circle of local Taiwanese friends, at Sherway Gardens and Centennial Park.

Chang Iuan’s generosity and kindness knew no end as was evident with how he would drop everything and become an enthusiastic tour guide for every friend or extended family who visited from Taiwan.  Always excited to showcase Canada to overseas visitors.  He also helped many relatives settle in Canada, helping them navigate the bureaucracy, acting as chauffeur until they were able to drive themselves around.

Fiercely pro-Taiwan independence, he valued democracy and freedom greatly he aligned himself with like minded friends and instilled these values in his children.

As an aircraft sheet metal mechanic, he was very skilled with his hands.  He used his skills and do-it-yourself drive, to perform many home renovations completely on his own, from flooring, drywalling, minor electrical work and landscaping.

He had a love of classical music, often playing the great composers on the record turntable on weekend mornings to teach his children about the classics.

Chang Iuan suffered the first of his many health challenges in 1997, successfully defeating late stage colon cancer through a couple major procedures and chemotherapy.  That diagnosis caused him to have to abruptly retire from work.  He would suffer more health challenges over the next 25 years, the most significant being heart related issues after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery in 2008.  His 4th and last episode of congestive heart failure, in June 2022, led to him being brought home from hospital in early July where he was able to live out his last days, in the comfort of his home until he passed away, peacefully in his sleep.

A private family ceremony will take place.

Donations to the University Health Network (UHN) can be made in his memory.