Owner Of Scotch Plains' Jade Isle Restaurant Dies

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Kai Len Kwan, known as "Jack Lee" to his customers of Jade Isle Chinese Polynesian Restaurant and Lounge, has died.

Kwan was 88 year old when he died on Oct. 28, 2021, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, cousin Loong and son-in-law.

He opened Jade Isle Chinese Polynesian Restaurant and Lounge on Terrill Road in Scotch Plains in 1971 where he served local families and the community for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2018.

"Len was a quietly loyal, devoted man his whole life – taking care of friends and those he loved," according to his obituary.

Kwan was born in 1933 in Canton, China before coming to Canada at the age of 16 and then in New York in the 1950s. While in New York his cousin Joe took him under his wing and together they made their way in the U.S. through their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit all the while finding ways to have a little mischief and fun along the way, according to his obituary.

In 1967, he married his wife Mae and they soon welcomed their first child Gregory, followed by Brian and Kathleen.

Kwan was predeceased by his wife, Mae in 2000. He is survived by his three children Gregory, Brian and Kathleen; his children-in-law Maria Zecca and Ed Bae; and by his grandchildren Julienne, Maddie, and Jacob.

Visitation will be on Monday, Nov. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a service starting at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home in Fanwood. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Lustgarden Foundation.

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