'Live like John': 1st person in region to die after contracting COVID-19 remembered

It's been almost a year since John Tsai, a beloved man who deeply cared about others and his work in elevating the entertainment industry in Waterloo region, died of COVID-19.

Tsai was the first person in the region reported to have died from the infection on March 31, 2020.

Chad Yurkinwas Tsai's friend and business colleague.

"He was super caring, humble and dedicated. He lived for a bigger purpose more than himself," Chad Yurkin told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

"I think that if others live life that way, took risks, laid it all on the line, but lived for passion,in such a way that, that passion wasn't to keep others down, but uplift others I think the world would be a better place."

"So, live like John."

'Sorely going to be missed'

Tsai was a co-founder of Across The Board Entertainmentand worked at different capacities at District Night Club and Ace Ping Pong, where Yurkin is president.

"It was a lot of great years ofworking together trying to build a legacy of good, wholesome, fun entertainment in the city. Something to be proud of. That's what we were trying to build together. Losing that from the team, especially his unique perspective is sorely going to be missed," said Yurkin.

"He was a very likable, quiet, but critical member of the entertainment scene andhe did it out of love."

The closure of night clubs, bars and much of theentertainment industry has compounded the grief for Yurkin.

"What makes it a little bit harder for us is that we are also sitting and looking at these venues that he gave so much of his life to also on life support and also being slowly taken away. That's what makes it harder and harder on an ongoing basis, is that if we could rebuild, with him by our side in spirit, at least we will have that legacy to remember him by," he said.

"I want this part of John to live on."

Loss during pandemic

In a written statement on behalf of the family, Tsai's brother Steven thanked the community for honouring him, and keeping his memory and legacy alive.

"There isn't a day that goes by that we don't cherish all the great memories we shared with him, and wish we could have had one more moment, even just a second being with him," said the statement, emailed to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

"We feel that we were robbed of a son, brother, and uncle.We will continue to honour his memory andspeak of him often, reflecting on how much we loved him andare grateful for the time we did have with him," it said.

"We pray that no one else has to lose someone they love due to complications from COVID-19."

Yurkin said grieving has been challenging as COVID-19 brought on restrictions that prevented people from gathering and commemorating in-person.

"You don't get to really mourn in a real sense," he said.

"It's sad that we couldn't properly celebrate his life as a lot of people have been robbed of that ability because of the pandemic. So, we are looking forward to whenever it is safe to do so, finding a way to honour him, laugh and cry and reminisce. It will be through music."

He said the community raised money in an online fundraiser in honour of Tsai and hosted a virtual celebration of life.

Yurkin and several others plan on hosting a music event later this month to commemorate one year since Tsai's passing.