Stapleton Family Funeral Home
and Crematorium Center

Jack Lai, 88, passed peacefully Monday July 25, 2023 at RI Hospital. Born in Taishan, China, he immigrated to Canada in 1955. He came to this country in 1964. Soon afterward, he became a US citizen and sponsored his mother and siblings to immigrate to the United States. He was a son of the late Huan Wen Lai and Mo Tai Mui. He was married for 53 years to Sandra M. (Chin) Lai.

Mr. Lai was the owner-operator of Tai Dee Garden in Warwick, co-founded with his wife and father-in-law Tony Chin. The restaurant was a mainstay of RI Chinese cuisine from when it opened in 1971 until he retired in 1997. He was a well-loved member of the RI Chinese-American community. He was also an active member of the local artist community in RI, contributing to workshops and art shows as a member of multiple communities including the Providence Art Club. He was also an active volunteer and member at the Cranston Senior Center.

Besides his wife he leaves a daughter Margaret (Toby) Lai-Bates of Brookline, MA and a son Timothy (Katherine) Lai of Franklin, MA, and 3 grandchildren. He was brother of the late Hop Lai and survived by siblings Gary Lai, Sonia Ying, and Su Xin Li Zhu.

His life will be celebrated with calling hours in the Stapleton Family Funeral Home, 684 Park Avenue, Cranston Monday July 31 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral Tuesday at 9:00am August 1 in the funeral home followed by burial in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in memory of Jack Lai to the Cranston Department of Senior Services, Attn: Yvette, 1070 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI, 02920.