Bing Yee Chow

Bing Yee Chow

December 17, 1934 - December 28, 2025

Bing Yee Chow was born on December 17, 1934 in Hoiping, Guangdong, China. He immigrated to Canada in 1953, following his father Chow Chung, who had arrived earlier as a labourer. He attended Lord Strathcona School in Vancouver's East Side, but like many young immigrants of that era, found learning all but impossible in a pre-ESL environment. After some struggle, his life in restaurants began.

In the 1960s, Bing made his way to Prince George, BC, where he and a few friends opened "Oriental Inn." Originally located on 3rd Avenue, the "café" — as Bing sometimes called it — would take up larger premises on Victoria Street in 1978. Bing and his crew were pioneers of "Chinese-Canadian Cuisine" — a distinct mid-century, made-in-Canada culinary style that blended Cantonese recipes with Western ingredients and tastes. Ads in the local newspaper promised “new exotic Canadian/Chinese dishes” while dining in a “genuine oriental atmosphere.”

In 1969, Bing married Lily, a secondary school teacher from Malaysia who moonlighted as the cashier. They would raise three children together. A gentle, constant, and dedicated father, Bing filled their hearts with love, by filling their stomachs with food — Such Wonderful Food! Throughout their lives, the Chow kids would be the unassuming beneficiaries of some of the best tasting and most satisfying meals, anywhere.

A master of traditional Chinese cooking and Chinese-Canadian classics, Bing was also unmatched in Western homestyle staples like steak, pot roast beef, turkey dinners, pancakes and bacon.

He held a relentless work ethic: a typical day involved working from 4pm to 2am, then sleeping briefly before waking early to take care of the family. Standing in front of a flaming wok, seven days a week, for decades — taking just three vacations in that time — he never once complained.

Only later in Bing's life did his children realize their father was a talented calligrapher and watercolour painter; he had sacrificed these pursuits and talents for them. His love of action movies would make an indelible mark in the artistic and professional lives of his sons, while his kindness and resilience taught his daughter how to see people for who they are, and to forge through challenges with love.

Bing retired from the restaurant grind in 1999. In 2005, he moved to Victoria, BC with his wife, finally able to enjoy a more leisurely lifestyle. In 2023, in declining health, he moved into Victoria Chinatown Care Centre, where he found the warm embrace of community and friendship. On December 28, 2025, Bing passed away at Royal Jubilee Hospital, at age 91. His family will always be grateful for the care, kindness and dignity afforded to him by the nurses, doctors, and aides in his final days.

Bing is survived by his wife Lily Chye Siewsan of 57 years; his children Steven, Stephanie (David) and Warren (Mallory); and his grandchildren Colton and Magnus. He is also survived by two sisters: Madam Chow Hun Oi of Hong Kong, and Mrs. Maria Oi Lau Chu of Prince George, BC.

A private witness cremation will be held at Earth’s Option in Victoria on January 6. Bing’s ashes will be interred at the Gardens of Gethsamani in Surrey, BC, at a later date