Kenneth Lew Obituary

Kenneth Lew, 99, of West Caldwell, NJ, passed away on May 4, 2025.

Born in Toishan, China, Mr. Lew immigrated to the United States in his early teens and settled in Brookline, Massachusetts. He later married Frances Fay Chin in 1963, and the couple lived in East Orange before moving to West Caldwell in 1968.

Mr. Lew earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Tri-State University and went on to work as a mechanical engineer for Foster Wheeler. After retiring from engineering, he held a position with Merrill Lynch.

During World War II, Mr. Lew served in the United States Army as an airplane mechanic, stationed in Germany as part of the post-war peacekeeping force. He was a member of the American Legion in New York, specifically the Lieutenant B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291. In recognition of his service, he was a recipient of the Chinese American Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal, awarded under the Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2018 for patriotism, sacrifice, courage, and defense of the United States from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946.

He was also a member of the Chinese Community Center of New Jersey, based in Glen Rock. In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing tennis.

He was predeceased by his parents, Hey Fay Lew and Yee Ngun Lee; his wife, Frances Fay Lew; and his daughter, Karen Lew. He is survived by his son, Kevin Lew; his son-in-law, Roger Smith; his siblings, Warren Lew and Yuet Shuong Kung; along with extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 PM at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Ave., Roseland, NJ 07068. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org.