Harry Chin

Harry Chin, of Needham, formerly of Newton, passed away on Dec 26, 2021 at 88 years of age. Harry was born into poverty, the youngest of seven children, and raised in the back room of his family laundry business. He graduated from Boston English and Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics.  He started his professional career at IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY as a computer programmer.  To serve his country, he enlisted into the US Air Force and became a proud Korean war veteran. After the war he spent the rest of his career as a dedicated and lifelong federal employee, working at the Geophysics Lab at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Harry was the beloved husband of Jean B. Chin, father to three sons and daughter-in-laws Gary (Cara), Laurence (Judy), Jason (Irene), and grandfather to six children, Ryan, Brendan, Madeleine, Garrett, Brady and Mia. He is also survived by his siblings Allan, Maylene, Emma, and preceded by Robert, Jane, and Ann.

Harry took the utmost pride in seeing his three sons grow up and succeed in sports, schooling, their careers and raising their families. He was an avid sportsman playing senior basketball, tennis, and softball well into his 70s. Harry coached his three sons in many sports as they grew up and he traveled to watch as many games as possible as they moved past youth sports and into high school and college. In his later years, he enjoyed playing ball with his sons and grandsons, and could be seen shooting a few hoops in his driveway until this year at 88 years old. He was a huge Boston Celtics fan and lifelong NY Giants (football) fan, and never missed an opportunity to watch them play. Having learned to use his smart phone in recent years, he liked to text message banter with his family during Celtics games to share his opinions on shot selection, hustle, and of course the referee's bad calls.

Harry loved traveling with his beloved wife Jean to the far reaches of the world, and often took cruises with their friends.  He enjoyed spending time helping to run and participate in the Newton senior dances where he had made some lifelong friends.  He and Jean gave back to the community in many ways; but were particularly proud to be co-founding members of the Chinatown Marching Band, where they were able to spread the gift of music to many of the underprivileged children and teens in Boston’s Chinatown. Over the last ten years, Harry continued to participate in activities at the Needham Senior Center where he had great friends and learned to play pool and bridge, and just enjoyed their company.  This year, Harry took on the monumental task of writing his ‘Life Journal’ describing how he and his family lived and achieved the American Dream in one generation.  He proudly shared his memoir with his family and close friends. Harry passed peacefully, knowing that he had lived a full life and raised a wonderful family that will carry on his legacy in a manner that will continue to make him proud.

A Funeral Service will be held in The First Baptist Church in Needham, 858 Great Plain Ave, Needham, on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 11am. Visitation will be held in the church on Monday morning from 10-11am, prior to the service. A Private interment with Military Honors will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery. Covid precautions will be in place including all attendees must wear a mask and practice proper social distancing.

Memorials in Harry’s name can be made to The Needham Center at the Heights (payable to ‘Friends of CATH’), 300 Hillside Ave, Needham Heights MA 02494.

Harry's funeral serivce will be livestreamed on Monday morning via www.Harborview.live 

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