Obituary of Joseph Wah Chi Lau

Joseph Wah Chi Lau, 94, born June 10, 1930 in Hong Kong, passed away peacefully at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario on March 28, 2025, with his beloved wife of 65 years, Sally Cheng-Pi, holding his hand. 

Joseph, experienced WWII during his early teens.  After Military Service and Air Force training, he worked for the Taiwan Power Company as an Accounting Specialist.    

The fifth of seven children, married in 1959, he was the Lau Hong family pioneer, bravely starting a new life in Canada in 1967 with his young wife and three children.  He fulfilled his dream of better opportunities for his children, and despite innumerable hardships and challenges as new immigrants and beyond, he kept his family safe and secure for 58 years.  His protective spirit extended beyond his immediate family, as he helped many relatives navigate the challenging transition from Hong Kong to Canadian life.  Even in his final years as a resident in a care facility, he would call out in alarm when he saw another resident at risk.  His kindness and generosity extended to serving the community in many capacities in his senior years. He had a very big heart, no doubt because he had experienced so much hardship, and often talked about and acted on helping others. 

Joseph’s unique gift was his ability to find humour in life, enjoyed books of jokes, biographies of comedians, always found friends with a sense of humour, laughed at the silly things in life, and regaled family at gatherings with his conversation.  He also enjoyed sports his entire life, excelling from an early age with the goal of physical excellence, and keenly followed professional sports events for decades. 

Joseph, was a devoted father, unselfishly and tirelessly working two jobs in early years and later taking on the maximum amount of overtime at his place of work.  Retiring from the Canada Post Corporation after 22 years of dedicated service, he created his second career travelling around the Greater Toronto Area as a court translator for another 10 years.  He and Sally even had some fun starring in commercials due to their good looks and natural acting ability and enjoyed many cruises together in their senior years. 

His passing leaves a space where a family rock once stood.  His entertaining presence, stability and dependability in providing all manners of support and security, will be keenly felt. 

Joseph passes his legacy of compassionate caring to wife, Sally Cheng-Pi, daughter Cecilia Lo (Dorian Lo),  grandchildren Jaclyn, Colin, Dylan, Alan, son Kent Lau, daughter Man Fen Lau (Jean Carriere), eldest grandchild Christie.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joseph Lau to the Princess Margaret Hospital is gratefully accepted. 

Please select: Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre Fund.