The first Chinese-American Marianist, Hawaii-born Brother Clarence Chew, whose 65 years in religious life took him from Saint Louis School in Honolulu to missionary assignments in Korea and Japan, died in Honolulu on July 23. He was 83.

A memorial Mass was celebrated on Aug. 1 in the Mystical Rose Oratory on the St. Louis-Chaminade campus in Honolulu. Inurnment was Aug. 2 at Diamond Head Memorial Park Cemetery.

Brother Chew was born in Honolulu on Oct. 27, 1924, the youngest child of Yuen and Shee (Young) Chew. His father came to Honolulu from Canton, China, after winning a lottery, opened a grocery store, then returned to Canton to “claim” his wife. Settling in the Palama district, the Chew family grew to include seven girls and two boys. When Clarence was six months old, his mother took him to Canton, where he lived the first six years of his life.

In 1931, Clarence returned to Hawaii to begin first grade at Kaiulani School, speaking little English. His family wanted the best education for their young son, and though they were Buddhist, transferred Clarence to Cathedral School in Honolulu for grade three.

There Clarence met Brother Leo Mulry, a teacher and scoutmaster he greatly admired. By seventh grade, Clarence attended Mass regularly and had joined a class of those who wanted to convert to Catholicism.

Opposing his request to be baptized, his parents sent him to Central Intermediate School for ninth grade. Clarence, nevertheless, pressed on and in 1939 his parents relented. He was baptized on Dec. 23 and two days later made his First Communion at Christmas midnight Mass.

In 1940, Clarence enrolled at Saint Louis School. As a sophomore, he witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943, as a junior, he prayed daily for a religious vocation. His prayers were answered with the arrival of his nephew, Cary Chew, ensuring the continuation of the family name and easing his family’s objections to his religious calling.

That year, Clarence made the risky trip across the Pacific in wartime to begin his novitiate with the Society of Mary in Beacon, N.Y. He made his first vows in 1944 in Beacon, and his final vows in 1949 in Honolulu, the first American of Chinese descent to become a Marianist.

In 1947, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Dayton, Brother Chew began a teaching career that spanned 40 years. His first assignment was teaching freshmen at St. Anthony Boys School in Wailuku. From 1948 to 1958, he served at Saint Louis School in Honolulu.

He taught religion, English, algebra, business math, general science and typing. He also moderated the sodality and intramural sports and managed the athletic department and gymnasium.

In 1959, he was assigned to Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., and then at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. In 1960, he returned to Saint Louis School for three more years.

In 1963, Brother Chew went to Mokpo, Korea, to help build a Marianist middle school. In 1964, he assisted at St. Joseph’s College in Yokohama, Japan, returning to Mokpo later that year. A heart attack in 1967 interrupted his ministry.

He resumed his teaching career in 1968 at St. Joseph’s College and then at St. Anthony Grade School on Maui. From 1970 to 1973, he worked in the development office of Saint Louis and assisted with campus construction projects.

For the last 20 years of his active career, Brother Chew had a variety of jobs. He taught at Holy Family School in Honolulu and St. Joseph College. He also served in development at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., and as principal of St. Anthony Grade School. From 1983 to 1986, he assisted in the business office of Junipero Serra High and then in the office and guidance department of Saint Louis until retirement in 1994.

Marianist Father Tim Kenney remembers Brother Chew as someone who loved learning about his Chinese culture and his life as a Marianist.

“Clarence made his life full and rich by taking a joyful attitude towards each day. I always enjoyed seeing a smile on his face,” said Father Kenney. “He discovered joy in being with people and having fun. He exercised and took good care of himself spiritually and physically. He will be remembered by many family and friends.”

Marianist Father John Bolin said Brother Chew was openly proud of being a Marianist “When he went to events, he often wore a badge that said ‘Brother Clarence Chew, SM, Marianist.’”

Brother Chew is survived by two sisters, Betty Chang and Irene Pat Chew, both of California.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Marianist Province of the U.S., 4425 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63108.