Kin Fai Yee

Kin Fai Yee, 81, of Harvard, IL, died in Chicago, IL on March 24, 2026.

Fai, as he was commonly known to family and friends, was born in Canton, China in 1944 to Din Fan and Choi Jan Young Yee and grew up in Hong Kong, China. Fai completed elementary school before stopping his education to work and support his family.  

Fai moved to the United States in 1973, then married YeeWan in 1976.  He lived and worked with his Uncle Jim, Aunt May and cousin Jim in Marengo, IL.  It was with them that he learned how to run a restaurant, eventually purchasing the property which became known as Yee’s Restaurant in Harvard, IL.  He and YeeWan ran the restaurant for 22 years, famous for its egg rolls, before retiring to enjoy the birth of their first grandchild and then three additional grandchildren.  

During his retirement years, he enjoyed working in the yard, tending to his many houseplants, continuing his lifelong friendships over a good game of MahJong and traveling.  He was fortunate to travel with his wife, both daughters and grandchildren, visiting many different places.  Fai was also very active in his grandchildren’s lives, always attending their events from band concerts, cheerleading and dance performances and many sporting events.    

Fai was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, Uncle Jim and Aunt May.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years, YeeWan, two daughters Elsa and Edith (Erik), four grandchildren Brianna, Charlotte, Olivia and Lukas, three brothers, a sister, several siblings-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends.  

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 11 AM until the 1 PM funeral service at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard, IL, with the burial to immediately follow at Marengo City Cemetery in Marengo, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Special Needs Ability Foundation.