Philip C. Chin

02/23/1947 - 03/05/2024

Philip Charles Chin, known by everyone as Phil, was a celebrated community activist, distinguished dedicated civil servant and leader in many city, state and federal leadership roles, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Phil was born on February 23, 1947 to Lai Din Chin and Lee Gim Fung, the youngest son of their six children. Phil grew up in North-Beach, attended Jean Parker and Washington Irving Elementary, Francisco Junior High and Galileo High School. The activism and turmoil of the civil rights, anti war protests, voting and equal rights as well as counterculture movements made an impression on him. They were robust topics for learning about the causes and consequences for social change. He majored in sociology and social sciences at SF State University which formed the foundation of his skills and approach to problem solving in all areas of community development, especially in transportation and low-income housing. His first professional job after college was as assistant to Architect Alice Barkley at the U.C. Berkeley Community Design Center. He enrolled at the U.C., Berkley Department of Architecture and Urban Design for further studies.

All of the Chin siblings spent time in the youth development, social activities and programs of Cameron House and the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown. Phil participated in club activities and took on many leadership roles as club and day camp leader. He later served on their board. His social justice activism evolved from Phil’s first job as a kid was delivering newspapers for the Chinese Times followed by a parade of part time jobs at restaurants, grocery stores, and post office. He was a Director of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and a key coordinator of Chinese New Year Parade for over two decades.

Phil was aware of the multifarious needs of the Chinatown community due to: poverty, lack of housing, underemployment, neglect, overcrowding, lack of social services and more. He and half a dozen of his friends who were energized by the civil rights movement were determined to improve conditions in Chinatown. CCDC-Chinatown Community Development Center was founded in 1977 with Phil as the first Board Chairman with Gordon Chin as the Executive Director. Phil was the Board Chair in the beginning years but left while he was away from S.F. He was re-elected at Board Chair for the past dozen years. After 47 years of advocacy and active service, CCDC has created 38 properties with over 5,000 low-income units and the administration of the Ping Yuen Projects. The CTA-Community Tenants Association was established to give tenants a voice in the community.

He was invited to write a proposal to establish an Asian America Caucus in Congress. Phil moved to Washington, D.C. to became the first Director. After several years, Phil returned to California to serve as State Assembly Art Agnos’ administrative assistant. While in Sacramento, Phil served as principal consultants to Assemblyman Dominic Cortese and, later, Honorable Jerry Eaves. Phil’s last job in Sacramento was as Director of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care. Phil returned to San Francisco to become assistant when Art Agnos was elected as Mayor of San Francisco. He worked for the Human Rights Commission and was Manager of the Apprenticeship Opportunity Foundation. In between stints with the state and city departments, Phil matriculated at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for graduate studies.

Phil had always been fascinated by buses as a child; he knew the routes of most of the MUNI bus lines. So, he became a bus driver for a couple of years. He was promoted to several leadership positions within MUNI because of his immense interest, knowledge, leadership skills and ability to solve problems. He ultimately became the Deputy General Manager and Chief of Staff at MUNI - the Municipal Railway of SF. Department heads are often changed when a new mayor is installed. Therefore, Phil’s administrative skills were transferred as different departments sought his expertise. He subsequently worked as Director of Operations at the Department of Parking and Traffic. He has been honored with many proclamations praising his extraordinary accomplishments in the performance of his many jobs. His final job before retirement was a the Director of S.F. Emergency Services.

When he was working for MUNI, Phil, Lelandy Dong and other concerned Chinatown supporters, formed Chinatown TRIP Transportation Research and Improvement Project which reviewed and lobbied for safe and speedy bus routes for seniors, students and shoppers to and from Chinese business sectors around San Francisco. While social justice and Chinatown community improvement activities took much of his free time, Phil found time to run, play touch football or camping, travel and enjoy fine dining. In fact, he was planning a driving trip through the countries along the Silk Road. Phil is proving his commitment to Chinatown and CCDC by establishing an endowment and donating the proceeds of the sale of his home to CCDC. The Chin Family is proud of Phil’s accomplishments, and hopes that his gesture will encourage many more concerned citizens who will generously donate to causes that will enhance life in Chinatown, promote social and civil justice as well as other communities in need. Phil is survived by: Alleliah Nuguid, step daughter; Thomas Nuguid, stepson; Lonnie K. Chin, sister; Christine Chin Tong, niece - Kevin Tong, Breelyn Tong, Iris Tong; Michael R. MeGuire, brotherin-law, some cousins and many friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life is planned for: Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown - 925 Stockton Street

San Francisco, California. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cameron House or Presbyterian Church in Chinatown. Please RSVP attendance by May 20, 2024 to: Pclvs39@ gmail.com