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Jay Chen, publisher of Asian Fortune, passed away peacefully on January 31 in the presence of his family at Inova Fairfax Hospital, the result of a brain aneurysm. He was 61. He was laid to rest on February 5 at Fairfax Memorial Home.

Jay’s daughter Lily Chen Ma, who has been performing management duties for Asian Fortune over the years, said she would continue publishing Asian Fortune. At the memorial service, she also thanked the community for supporting her father and Asian Fortune. She asked for its sustained support in continuing “my Dad’s legacy.”

Asian Fortune is the only newspaper in English covering the Pan-Asian community in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

In his eulogy, “Jay’s Vision United Us,” read by community leader Robert Jew at the memorial service, former U.S. Commerce and also Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said the Washington area has lost a dynamic business leader and the Asian American community has lost an important voice with Jay’s passing.

Mineta is the first American of Asian descent to serve two presidents, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

On February 17, Delegate Mark Keam informed Jay’s family that he and Delegate Ron Villanueva would introduce a resolution at the Virginia State Assembly recognizing Chen’s role as a business and community leader. Delegate Villanueva had told Filipino American community leaders on February 2 that he was going to file the resolution.