Joseph Hsiu Chen

Joseph Hsiu Chen, aged 94, of Needham, MA, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2025.

Joseph was born March 22,1931 in Tianjin China. His family ran an import/export business founded by his grandfather that processed goods for the US and Europe. The Chen family were major benefactors of Tianjin’s largest Roman Catholic Church, St Joseph Cathedral, which still stands today. 

In 1949 communism swept through Tianjin and with his cousin, Aloysius, Joseph traveled to Hong Kong to complete his high school education. They both received full scholarships to attend St. Procopius College (now Benedictine University) in Lisle, Illinois. Due to the border closure of China by the communist government, Joseph and Aloysius were not able to contact or obtain any support from their families back in China until 1980. Joseph attributed many of his achievements in life to the Benedictine monks at St. Procopius, who not only educated him but also fed him from the campus farm. In appreciation, Joseph made annual donations to St. Procopius Abbey throughout his life.

Joseph completed his undergraduate education at St.Procopius and was accepted to the doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame. During this time, he met his future bride, Michaeline P. Fu at a dance in Chicago and they were married in 1956.  Joseph obtained his PhD in Solid State Physics, they had their first child, and then moved to Massachusetts, where Joseph had accepted a position as a Professor of Physics at Boston College.  After a 40-year career there, Joseph retired in May 1997 but continued research projects at Harvard University.

In his free time Joseph enjoyed fixing/tinkering with computers/electronics, working in the yard, playing with his grandchildren, and enjoying good dumplings. 

Joseph is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Michaeline, daughter Pamela, his brother Dun, and his cousin Aloysius.

Joseph is survived by his children, Mark, David, Thomas (Lynne), Philip (Deborah); and Carolyn; grandchildren, Nicholas (Alexandra), Paul, Benjamin, Marah, Caitlin (Michael), Jordan (Yerlan), Samuel, Hannah, Rachael, and Joseph; great-grandchildren, Jack, Lucas, Ruslan and Kaisar; nephews, Matt (Annie), Zachary; niece Natalie (Richard); and great-nephews, Alex and Aldan.

Visiting hours will be held at Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Monday July 7, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Tuesday, July 8, at St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave, Needham followed by interment at Highland Cemetery, Centre St., Dover.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Procopius Abbey: https://www.procopius.org/giving

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