Shu Kwan Woo

Shu Kwan “Shu” Woo, 66, of Los Angeles, CA, passed away peacefully at Barlow Respiratory Hospital on June 17th, 2020 with his wife and son by his side after months of fighting to recover from complications resulting from surgery last September. It was a time marked by ups and downs as Shu faced adversity at every step. The latest setback came in March when the world shutdown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting his treatment options. A fighter all of his life, Shu battled until the very end before finally passing on his own terms.

He was born in 1953 in Hong Kong to Pak Wah Woo and Ping Yee Kam and was the third of four sons. Shu grew up in Hong Kong and attended Pui Ching Middle School where he met some of his most beloved friends. An apt student all his life, he graduated with high marks and was awarded a Regent Scholarship to attend UCLA. Along with the rest of his family he immigrated to the United States in 1971 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from UCLA in Engineering while helping his family establish a new life in a new country.

Upon graduating, Shu started on a career in engineering working with International Rectifier eventually becoming a floor manager. Shu worked for several years in the field before embarking on a course that would define his later career; business ventures with his family. After a humble start running a Chinese restaurant on the Redondo Beach Pier, Shu, alongside his parents and brothers Peter, Charlie, and Jack, would go on to establish a widely successful toy import and wholesale business with ABC Toys. He and the rest of the family would continue to invest in the industrial part of downtown LA and would turn a once neglected area into the thriving Toy District. In later years, Shu and the rest of the family would transition to the world of real estate management and find continued success.

Outside of his working career, Shu had a passion for civic involvement and was proud of the work he did as a Commissioner, and later as Vice Chairman, of the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles (CRA) from 2002-2006. Appointed by LA Mayor James Hahn, Shu was the first Chinese American to serve on this important city commission. He took great pride in listening to the needs of the residents of Los Angeles and often sought to be a bridge between various communities across the city. The projects he worked on represented a tangible investment for the people of LA. There are many signs of his legacy, from newspaper articles to buildings in Little Tokyo, South LA, Hollywood and all over the city. He approved projects from senior homes, to affordable housing, to large projects like LA Live to transform downtown into a great place to work, live, and play. One enduring symbol of his involvement can be seen in the Chinatown Gateway. Under the Dragon Gate on Broadway there is a plaque which honors the role he had in CRA.

In his free time Shu was an avid and proficient ping-pong player. Having played all his life, he would be the first to tell you of the time he took 6 points off Glenn Cowan, the noted American ping-pong player who participated in the Ping-Pong Diplomacy efforts of the early 70s. In his later years he embraced the hobby with zeal, crafting his own paddles and winning medals and trophies as both a single and doubles competitor in local contests including the regional Senior Olympics.

Another of his passions was digital photography. Friends and family were no stranger to the sight of Shu behind a camera at functions and events. He explored new cameras with great interest and would meticulously compare and contrast the latest point-and-shoot models.

But despite his other interests, Shu’s greatest passion was for his family. Whether it was dutifully serving his parents in their old age or ensuring that his wife and son would not want in their lives, Shu did not hesitate to put his family’s interests ahead of his own. His greatest motivation and goal in life was a happy life for others. Whether it was success for his son, his nieces and nephews, or his work with his brothers, Shu worked tirelessly to establish a good future for the next generation of the Woo family.

Shu was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Elli; son Christopher; brothers Peter, Charlie, and Jack; nieces Cynthia and Kelly; and nephews Simon, Samuel, Geoffrey, Justin, and Calvin. The memorial service took place on July 11th 10am at the SkyRose Chapel. Thank you to everyone who expressed their condolences and shared their memories of Shu. We know everyone's hearts and thoughts were with us that day even if everyone couldn't be there in person.