Calvin Kwock Chew's Obituary
Passed away on February 22, 2008. Calvin was born in Oakland, California in 1927 and remained to start his businesses and raise his family there.Calvin learned the grocery trade from his father, Hing Hon Chew, and became a devoted small business owner. His first grocery store, Grove Street Market, was established in the 1950s on Oakland's Grove Street. In the 1960s, he moved on to own and operate the Fremont Food Fair market in Fremont. An active businessman, he served on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Grocers Association. In the 1980s, he ventured into the restaurant business and operated three locations of Chew's Chinese Foods.After a lifetime of running his own businesses, Calvin was a restless retiree, but he made a happy job of actively participating in the growing-up of his adored granddaughter, Sarah. He also volunteered his time as a precinct poll worker for the Alameda County Registrar of Voters during the past 5 years. Calvin had just been appointed to serve as a Precinct Board Member for the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election but was unable to participate due to illness. Calvin was elder brother to Hoover (Margaret), Doris (Harry), Hanford (Alice), Nancy, and Henry (Alice). An older first-born sister, Ella, died in her 20s. The Chew family of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandkids and great grandkids is a loving, boisterous, tight-knit family that came together immediately to surround and comfort his wife and family.Calvin is survived by his amazing wife of 60 years, Jeannie, and three sons Larry (Gary), Gregory (Ellen), Robert (Patty). Viewing will be held Sunday, March 2nd, 5-8pm at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. Service to be held Monday, March 3rd, 1pm at Chapel of the Chimes; burial to immediately follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
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