YAO, Jianhua - We are sad to announce the passing of Jianhua (Jim) Yao. Jianhua, 65, died on Monday, September 11th in Toronto after a courageous and lengthy battle with health issues.
Jianhua passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
After graduating from Sichuan University and mastering Chinese chess, Jianhua obtained a Ph.D. in physics at McGill University.
He was one of the first graduate students directed by Professor Martin Grant, who had recently joined the department.
Officemates will remember Jianhua for his wit, laughter and sense of humor, as well as his dedication to learning colloquial English. While successfully solving a long-standing problem related to Ostwald ripening, the events in Tiananmen Square in 1989 changed the course of his and many other Chinese nationals’ lives.
Jianhua then went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at Simon Fraser University, after which he joined Midland Walwyn Capital Inc. as a financial analyst. Subsequently, Jianhua joined Waterfront International, a quantitative finance research firm, where he had a fulfilling career as a senior financial analyst.
Jianhua’s favourite pastimes included going on hikes around the GTA, going for walks around his neighbourhood in Whitby, and playing poker and chess.
Jianhua was a loving husband and father, and a great friend, who always gave good advice. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bing Liu, and his two daughters Lucy and Christina Yao.
Arrangements with Mount Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery.
{fastsocialshare}