On February 9th, 2022, Ronald Lou-Poy was called to the highest court. Surrounded by the love of his devoted wife, May, and children, Patrick and Anne Marie, he passed peacefully, but not before saying that he was happy, fulfilled and wanted to go to Chinatown for noodles and a beer. His loss brings great sadness to family and friends but also great joy in knowing the full life that he lived.
Ron was a proud third generation Victorian. In his youth he attended George Jay Elementary, Chinese Public School, and helped out at his father’s wholesale fruits and vegetable company. Upon graduating from Victoria High School he was destined for secretarial college. The astute advice of his revered high school counsellor and long-time mentor (Lawrie James Wallace, CM) convinced his father that Ron should go to university. He attended Victoria College (U-Vic forerunner) and the University of BC, B.Comm., 1957, Bachelors of Law (1960) before being called to the Bar in 1961 and articling for Crease Harman & Company. There he enjoyed a long and storied career of 52 years, achieving managing and senior partner.
Ron’s deep-rooted love and devotion to family, friends and the community gave impetus to his lifetime of public service. He relished the countless hours involved with organisations, foundations, committees, and boards (Kiwanis Club, the United Way, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Crime Stoppers, Victoria Police Board, MacPherson Foundation and others). Ron was an original director of the U-Vic Innovation and Development Corporation, and served two terms on the U-Vic Board of Governors. In 2004, he was elected U-Vic’s 9th Chancellor and served two terms. He delighted in the honour of celebrating the educational achievements of others. Ron’s lifetime of unwavering service to the community earned him recognitions and accolades; Queen’s Council, Honorary Doctorates of Law (U-Vic) Queen’s Jubilee medal, Freemason of Saanich, and the Order of Canada.
Ron’s private life was defined by his love of family and friends. During his time at UBC, he courted May (B.Sc & Pharm) with the help of music legends, like Sinatra and Nat King Cole. He grew to know May’s family, as her two older brothers and three younger sisters also graduated from UBC. Ron and May married and returned to Victoria where they lived on the same street for over 60 years welcoming their own children and grandchildren. On the arrival of his own children, Ron started going to church a little more often and working on weekends.
He instilled in his children his love of golf, tennis, skiing, travel, and celebrating with family and friends over a shared meal. As an avid golfer, Ron could be found on the greens at Uplands Golf Course, an active member since 1970, or at the Oak Bay tennis bubble. Family ski trips always included a well-deserved apres-ski plate of nachos, beer and a great Sean Connery flick. Ron especially enjoyed the ease of guided travel, visiting sites, meeting people, tasting exotic fare, and going with the flow all the while, with a good book in hand.
Hosting was his forte, his generosity was boundless, and the bar was always open. Known for his constant wit, Ron loved to tell a good joke, but often erupted in laughter before delivering the punchline. He is fondly remembered for leaving his party in stitches.
Maybe it was the way Ron saw May as his equal that won her heart or that he was always happy to dance. His family often watched in awe as one led and the other followed, gliding across the dance floor in fluid harmony. His love and devotion to his wife, family, friends and community taught us that like a dance, “sometimes you get to lead and oftentimes you have to follow, and that is the rhythm of life”. Ron was the perfect partner, father, grandfather. He was always right on tempo and never missed a beat. His kindness, patience, generosity and mischievous humour defined a life well lived. He had a zest and great appreciation for life and all those he met along the way.
He is survived by his loving and devoted spouse of 64 years, May, his children Patrick (Shauna), Anne Marie (Jamie) and grandchildren Matthew, Marcus, Davis, Curtis, Amelia, and Wyatt. He has been reunited with his father (Harry Lou-Poy), mother (Alice Lou-Poy), sister (Nancy Lou-Poy) and other wonderful family and friends.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date. Flowers gratefully declined, those wishing to make memorial donations in memory of Ron, please consider:
The Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation
https://victoriachinatowncare.ca/our-foundation/
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
https://www.ccbanyc.org/eindex.html
University of Victoria Child Care Centres (the Lou-Poy Childcare Centre): https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate/child-care
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Barry Obara
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Wilma Sayer Gentleman extraordinaire, impeccable and gracious host, joyful raconteur, and distinguished citizen of the world.
My deepest condolences to May and the Lou-Poy family.
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Mona Bevis My heartfelt deepest condolences to you May and family on the passing of Ron,a gentle soul, friend and always the gentleman. He has left good memories for you. Please give a hug to your family for me…Mona
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sam pang To May and family,
So sorry to hear your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Sam, Betty Pang and family
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Bill Murphy-Dyson Ron was a good guy, professionally, personally, and in the community. May, thanks for helping to make him be what he was for so many years. Sorry for your loss.
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Mew Family The Mew Family and the Lou Poys go back to our grandfather, where our Dewdney Farm in Langford supported Pioneer Fruit and Produce with our vegetables.
Over the years the Mews appreciated Ron as a lawyer, values and benefited from his work at UVic where some of us attended, or admired his many contributions to our local community and province.
Our deepest condolences to May and family during this time of remembrance.
Ron inspired many of us to give back and do good works that now touches another generation of Mews.
May Ron rest in peace.Wai Wing Mew (Wayne Chew), Ann Yuen, Dr. Gilbert Chew, Raymond Mew, Philip mew and families
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Raymond Mew, President The memory of Ron Lou Poy, as well as the generosity of May continue to be contribute in their support of The Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation. Ron continues to inspire so our work to fundraise in a range of ways allows the Care Centre to continue now and into the future.
Ron touched us in many ways with his leadership to inspire so many to do good works.
His legacy of giving to his community and attending so many fundraisers and making our lives better will endure and inspire others to serve.
Ron’s presence and goodwill are fondly remembered by many on our Foundation Board now or in the past.
Ron was a pillar in our community in many ways where we all benefit, whether the many volunteering to serve our community; at UVIC; his professional life or our Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation
Our condolences to his family, and may he rest in peace.Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation
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Joanna Kiss Snow I remember visiting with your family many, many years ago. My condolences to all of your family. Sending love On behalf of my parents, Joe and Christine Kiss.
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Baddeley Family “The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ron lived an exceptional life and his kindness and generosity to our family will always be remembered.
Our condolences to the whole family.
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Don Thomson My sincere sympathy to the Lou Poy family. I am an old friend of Ron from school days, we attended George Jay, Central Junior High and Victoria High together. Unfortunately, I have only seen Ron occasionally in later years but I still remember him as a great guy.
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norma minter My condolences to the Lou-Poy family. We have never met but I have heard the Lou-Poy name all my life. My grandmother was Mary (Lou-Poy) Lum and our daughter-in-law attended UVic whilst Ronald was Chancellor and I believe presented her with her degree. So I feel we are somewhat akin.
Reading about Ronald’s life has been so enlightening as to what a wonderful man he was; a life so well-lived and so cherished by the family he leaves behind.
Condolences again. Norma Minter
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Blanche Pereira I will never forget Ron. I met him when he was invited to be a judge at a Citizenship Ceremony and I was volunteering for the Citizenship Council. A few days later the whole Council got an invitation from Ron to a dinner at the elite Union Club. We had such an enjoyable and unforgettable time that evening – the food too was delicious. This only goes to show Ron’s magnanimity. I also ran into him outside his office one day and he did recognize me and was so gracious and humble in spite of his position and achievements in life. A very rare individual to come by I must say. His family must be so proud of him and so are we. My heartfelt condolences to his wife and children. May his soul rest in peace with the Almighty.
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Ida Chong To May and the family:
Words cannot begin to describe the incredible and lasting affect Ron had on the entire Victoria community. He was generous with his time and wit and never wavered when asked to help fundraise for so many important causes.
I remain eternally grateful for his sage advice and time. We mourn this loss with you and your family.
With deepest sympathies,
IDA
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Ric Bains So sorry for your loss Anne Marie. My condolences to you, Jamie and your family. Your Dad was very accomplished and well respected. My thoughts are with you.
Ric & Shirley
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Joy and Gerry Gabel Joy and Gerry Gabel
Very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing.
A life WELL LIVED
Thoughts and prayers are sent to May and family, for strength at this stressful time.
Hugs, Joy and Gerry Gabel
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Miriam Lancaster My condolences to the Lou-Poy family. It was my pleasure to work with Ron on the Board of Governors at the University of Victoria long ago.
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Rick & Kathy Stolle To you, May, and to your Family, our deepest sympathy for your loss.
We remember Ron for his ready smile, generous spirit, the twinkle in his eye and for telling his hilarious jokes. He was a true presence.
The entire community will miss him.
Wishing you much comfort and happy memories,
Rick and Kathy Stolle
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Ken Fyke I was saddened to learn of Ron’s passing. He was a great Canadian who was recognized with the Order of Canada. So well deserved. Our thoughts and condolences to Mae and family.
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Mieke & Jay Fray For May and family our deepest condolences on Ron’s passing. We will always remember him as the true definition of a gentle man, caring, kind and always willing to help others.
We wish you strength in the days ahead.Mieke & Jay Fray
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Lynne Henderson So sorry for your loss.
Ken and I remember the legendary dinners at the Golden Palace. All the food that kept coming.
It was such fun.Ron was a kind, generous, “gentle”man and very funny. His joke telling was almost as good as May’s.
What a wonderful legacy he has left.All good things. Ken and Lynne Henderson
May and family
I will always remember Ron through various service club attendances and lunch meetings we had attended. Just a very kind man with a gentle soul. The smile, his laughter…and May of course getting to know you through us being on the Royal BC Museum Board. I just want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family.