Roderick Mah — the unofficial mayor of Chinatown
卡城唐人街 传奇式的领袖
The information was gathered from the Internet.
One
http://cdm280501.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p280501coll7/id/686
Two
Obituary
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19712957/roderick-mah
Roderick Mah (Roddy), age 77, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 5, 2007, in Calgary.
Roderick was born on July 19, 1929 in Calgary, Alberta to Nellie and Eddie Mah. At a very young age, he was sent to China to learn the Chinese language and culture. Unable to return to Canada because of World War II, he spent his formative years in China. In 1960, Roderick, with his wife, Lillian and her family opened the Jade Palace Restaurant for twenty-five years. He also operated a travel agency for nearly thirty years. Roderick was instrumental in the redevelopment of Calgary's Chinatown and raising its profile amongst the larger community. He was also a pioneer in Canada-China business relations and made inroads into Hong Kong and particularly Mainland Communist China, promoting the City of Calgary as a great place to do business. Until recently, Roderick remained active in his community work and various business ventures.
Roderick is survived by his loving wife, Lillian; daughters, Julia, Veronica (Wayne), and Roderica (Christopher); and granddaughters, Kate and Zoe. He is also survived by many beloved relatives and close friends.
Roddy's vitality, humour, kind heart, positive spirit, and willingness to help will be missed.
A Funeral Service was held at Foster's Garden Chapel, 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary on Saturday, February 10, 2007
From obituary published in the Calgary Herald on 2/7/2007.
Three
https://www.mtroyal.ca/documents/mountroyalthisweek/feb072008/donation_mrtw_feb7_08.htm
Mount Royal receives $5 million donation
Three Calgary business leaders have made a multi-million dollar donation to Mount Royal in memory of Roderick Mah — the unofficial mayor of Chinatown.
Donald McCaffrey, president, CEO and co-founder of Resverlogix Corp, Norman Wong, chief scientist and co-founder of Resverlogix Corp and Wayne Chiu, president and CEO of Trico Homes, personally donated $5 million in honour of their good friend.
Mah, a successful entrepreneur who was known for spearheading redevelopment of Chinatown in the 1980s, died one year ago at the age of 77. He attended Mount Royal in 1949 and was the 1995 recipient of Mount Royal's Distinguished Alumnus award.
“The generosity of the donors makes this gift one of the largest that Mount Royal has ever received,” says Mount Royal President Dave Marshall. “As leaders in their respective businesses, this investment demonstrates their vision of the future and the importance that education plays in that future.”
It is anticipated the donation, made on the anniversary of Mah’s death, will be matched over the next two years using money from the Government of Alberta’s Access to the Future program.
The money will go toward improving and upgrading facilities for students in Mount Royal’s health and science degree programs.
In a joint statement, the donors say they are very proud to support Mount Royal in its efforts to continue to build a pre-eminent post-secondary institution.
“Roddy had a passion for learning, therefore the donation is a very good fit as Mount Royal is strongly focused on teaching and continuous learning. We are pleased that his memory will continue with those who may not have had the privilege to know him, but instead have the good fortune to receive an outstanding education.”
A special commemorative event will be held in May at Mount Royal to celebrate the donation.
─ Dan McGarvey
Four
http://darrylraymaker.blogspot.com/2007/02/another-good-man-roddy-mah.html
Written by Darryl Raymaker
Born and raised in the Crowsnest Pass. Educated at the University of Alberta. Engaged in the Practice of Law for more than 40 years. Now a Director of 2 Oil Companies in International Exploration. Past Federal and Provincial Liberal candidate and longtime Liberal activist. Former Chairman of the Calgary Police Commission.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
ANOTHER GOOD MAN: RODDY MAH
Calgary lost another good man this past week. His name was Roddy Mah and he made a difference.
Born in Calgary in 1929, he returned to China at age 5 to attend school and learn Chinese. While in China, World War II intervened thus keeping him there until after it was over. He returned to Calgary, learned English, married Lillian, and went into the restaurant business. An outstanding businessman, he operated several restaurants, including the Jade Palace, a first-rate Chinese food restaurant on Center Street and 3rd Avenue, for twenty-five years. Over the years, he supported many causes. One of the most significant was the redevelopment of Chinatown, making that area one of the unique places in the City and one of the most dynamic downtown Chinese districts in the country. He was one of the first to start business relations between Canada and China, and whenever in China, tirelessly promoted Calgary and Alberta as great places to do business. He was involved in many enterprises and had many business partners, all of whom thought highly of him.
Roddy also loved politics. He was one of the first to encourage Ralph Klein to run for Mayor, and loyally supported Ralph in all of his political endeavors throughout his career. Ralph was his friend, and Roddy helped his friends. He also helped his Liberal friends, one of which was me.
In January 1980, Roddy owned a large banquet Hall on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 1st St SE called, as I recall, the Golden Nugget, or some such name. It was during the Federal Election campaign that brought an end to the brief Joe Clark Tory Government and returned Pierre Trudeau and his Liberals to power. The Liberals rented Roddy's place for a campaign luncheon. The hall had a capacity of about 500, and following the political principle of always renting a room smaller than the crowd one expected, Roddy and the Grits crowded about 750 into the place to hear Pierre. I was the Liberal candidate for Calgary North in that election and introduced Trudeau at the luncheon, where he was warmly received by the over flow crowd. So much over flow, that Roddy was charged under the Fire Ordinance for overcrowding. He gladly paid the twenty-five dollar fine. Roddy said that Trudeau, who loved Chinese food, soon made it up to him. While on his way to or from Asia, while Trudeau's plane was stopped in Calgary for refuelling, he called Roddy and ordered some Chinese food from the Restaurant, thus evening the score.
I enlisted Roddy's assistance in the first Chretien-Martin leadership race in 1990. Roddy was only too happy to help get out the Chinese vote in the delegate selection hunt for the Riding of Calgary Center. He recruited several from the Chinese community to sell the memberships, primarily to the older, retired people who lived in Chinatown Apartments. He recommended the strategy of meeting with them for a social evening prior to the delegate selection meeting so that I could address them on why they should vote for the Chretien slate. On the night of the meeting, a light luncheon was held for the new members at the Jade Palace, at which there were more speeches - all translated into Chinese. Buses waited outside to transport them to the polls. The Chretien slate, thanks to Roddy and his friends, handily won the contest. It was a revealing exercise of democracy.
A very colorful, rotund, affable, jolly but modest man, Roddy enjoyed a good martini and fine wine. He loved talking politics, both Canadian and Chinese. To have dinner with Roddy and his friends, was an event not to be missed. Great conversation, food, spirits and plenty of laughter.
He left a devoted family, and many admiring friends located in the four corners of the globe. And many fond and happy memories.
Born in Calgary in 1929, he returned to China at age 5 to attend school and learn Chinese. While in China, World War II intervened thus keeping him there until after it was over. He returned to Calgary, learned English, married Lillian, and went into the restaurant business. An outstanding businessman, he operated several restaurants, including the Jade Palace, a first-rate Chinese food restaurant on Center Street and 3rd Avenue, for twenty-five years. Over the years, he supported many causes. One of the most significant was the redevelopment of Chinatown, making that area one of the unique places in the City and one of the most dynamic downtown Chinese districts in the country. He was one of the first to start business relations between Canada and China, and whenever in China, tirelessly promoted Calgary and Alberta as great places to do business. He was involved in many enterprises and had many business partners, all of whom thought highly of him.
Roddy also loved politics. He was one of the first to encourage Ralph Klein to run for Mayor, and loyally supported Ralph in all of his political endeavors throughout his career. Ralph was his friend, and Roddy helped his friends. He also helped his Liberal friends, one of which was me.
In January 1980, Roddy owned a large banquet Hall on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 1st St SE called, as I recall, the Golden Nugget, or some such name. It was during the Federal Election campaign that brought an end to the brief Joe Clark Tory Government and returned Pierre Trudeau and his Liberals to power. The Liberals rented Roddy's place for a campaign luncheon. The hall had a capacity of about 500, and following the political principle of always renting a room smaller than the crowd one expected, Roddy and the Grits crowded about 750 into the place to hear Pierre. I was the Liberal candidate for Calgary North in that election and introduced Trudeau at the luncheon, where he was warmly received by the over flow crowd. So much over flow, that Roddy was charged under the Fire Ordinance for overcrowding. He gladly paid the twenty-five dollar fine. Roddy said that Trudeau, who loved Chinese food, soon made it up to him. While on his way to or from Asia, while Trudeau's plane was stopped in Calgary for refuelling, he called Roddy and ordered some Chinese food from the Restaurant, thus evening the score.
I enlisted Roddy's assistance in the first Chretien-Martin leadership race in 1990. Roddy was only too happy to help get out the Chinese vote in the delegate selection hunt for the Riding of Calgary Center. He recruited several from the Chinese community to sell the memberships, primarily to the older, retired people who lived in Chinatown Apartments. He recommended the strategy of meeting with them for a social evening prior to the delegate selection meeting so that I could address them on why they should vote for the Chretien slate. On the night of the meeting, a light luncheon was held for the new members at the Jade Palace, at which there were more speeches - all translated into Chinese. Buses waited outside to transport them to the polls. The Chretien slate, thanks to Roddy and his friends, handily won the contest. It was a revealing exercise of democracy.
A very colorful, rotund, affable, jolly but modest man, Roddy enjoyed a good martini and fine wine. He loved talking politics, both Canadian and Chinese. To have dinner with Roddy and his friends, was an event not to be missed. Great conversation, food, spirits and plenty of laughter.
He left a devoted family, and many admiring friends located in the four corners of the globe. And many fond and happy memories.
中资进加拿大,他功不可没！
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