SHEN, Robert Lui - Died peacefully on March 18, 2021, at the age of 77, following a short struggle with MDS (myelodysplastic syndromes), a bone-marrow disease.
Robert was born in Tianshui, China, on May 2, 1943.
He has said that his Chinese name (沈鐳) is a play on words in honour of the thunderstorm on the night of his birth which ended a long period of drought.
He is the eldest son among six children and is survived by his four sisters and a younger brother.
Robert graduated from University of Taiwan with a degree in English. He settled in Hong Kong and began what would become a life-long career with IBM.
It was at IBM where he met his wife Pansy. They married and had two children, Joy and Victoria. He is remembered fondly by his children as the Santa Claus at the IBM office Christmas parties and playing Beatles songs on his ukulele, including his favourites “Yesterday” and “Norwegian Wood”.
Together the family emigrated to Canada in 1982, settling in Toronto where he would continue his career with IBM for another eleven years.
Since his retirement in 1993, Robert has travelled widely with Pansy.
Although his death was sudden, Robert’s family is comforted in the knowledge that he lived a full life, loved by family and friends, well-travelled and accomplished. Robert will be deeply missed. His memory will be cherished by his spouse, Pansy, his first daughter Joy and her spouse Charles, his grandchildren Kian and Mei-Yi, and his younger daughter Victoria and her spouse, Michael.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Robert (Robert Lui Shen) to the Markham Stouffville Hospital.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the care, kindness and dignity they provided Robert in his final days.
Visitation will be held at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, Markham on Wednesday, March 24th.
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