Tai Wai 'David' Ip

It is with deep sadness that we announce that after a year-long battle with cancer, Tai Wai 'David' Ip passed away peacefully in his home on August 15th, 2025 at the age of 92, with his son Simon and daughter-in-law Christina by his side. David is also survived by his sisters, Helen and Cathy along with a number of nieces and a nephew.

David was born in Hong Kong in 1933. He had one elder brother, one elder sister and eventually two younger sisters (Helen and Cathy). His father passed away when David was only three years old.

David attended the St. Louis School located in Sai Ying Pun (historically West Point, Hong Kong) - a privately run, Catholic primary and secondary English grammar school. He then attended the National Taiwan Normal University, located in Taipei City where David obtained a Bachelor's of Fine Arts. Having developed a passion for the visual arts, David decided to move to Paris, France where he attended the oldest and most famous of Fine Arts Schools, École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts from 1961 to 1968 during which time David acquired skills and experiences that would define him as an artist. At the same time, he took advantage of being in Europe to experience the many countries and cultures close by - Italy, Spain and Greece - while also picking up skills to play the guitar.

Returning to Hong Kong in 1969, he would meet his eventual partner and wife, Shun Wah 'Betty' Ip. They fell in love and moved to San Francisco later that year where David was exposed to contemporary art and West Coast Living. During their time in SF, they married and their son Simon was born. In 1976, they emigrated to Vancouver, Canada where David was able to reunite with his sister Cathy and her family who had also emigrated to the Lower Mainland.

From 1976 onward, David held various jobs to support his family, eventually working as a service worker at UBC. At the same time, and even well after retirement into his early 90's, David created works of art regularly, focusing initially on beach scenery and driftwood (inspiration coming from Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks), before moving onto portraits of co-workers, nature and still life, and finally Chinese calligraphy.

David will be remembered as a very kind person and a man of few words, but one who expresses himself eloquently and boldly in his visual creations. David will be missed dearly by his family and those that know him, but he will live on in his art and in our hearts.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the Radiation Oncology Team at BC Cancer, Vancouver Centre, for helping to extend David's life and to the Pender Community Health Centre Home Support staff, nurses and providers for their dedication and unwavering support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation (click here for David's Memorial Page).