Teh Pao Liu of Medford, Massachusetts passed away at his home on May 27, at age 90 with his devoted wife and loving family by his side.
T.P., as he was affectionately known, was born and raised in China. After he and his wife King Lien (Chen) married at age 20, the impoverishment and guerrilla tactics of the country’s Cultural Revolution made it necessary for him to flee to the British colony of Hong Kong in 1952. It was there that he joined the staff as chef for the US Ambassador, who later sponsored his emigration to the United States in 1957. He lived in Washington, DC before moving to Massachusetts, where he was later joined by his wife and two eldest children in 1960.
He was a master chef, and with his wife by his side, started several notable restaurants. Their original endeavor in Medford, Massachusetts in 1959, Peking on the Mystic, was one of the first Chinese restaurants in the country to feature the authentic cuisines of Peking (Beijing), Szechwan, and northern China. The restaurant was a national draw for dignitaries, local intellectuals, and foodies alike. It was so much a cult favorite, that it became the inspiration for the name of the Tufts alumni acapella group founded in 1973. Mr. Liu’s, ingenuity, creativity and business acumen also extended well beyond restaurant entrepreneurship, and into real estate.
A resident of Medford for the past 50 years, Mr. Liu is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, King, his seven children, Pauline (Liu) Fung and husband Peter, of Somerville, John Liu and his wife Patty of Solon, Ohio, Jody Liu, Cathy Liu, David Liu and his wife Jill, Paul Liu and his wife Julie, Lawrence Liu and his wife Tina all of Medford. He will also be deeply missed by his 10 beloved grandchildren, James Fung of Los Angeles, CA, Susan Liu of Cleveland, OH, Christopher Liu of Naperville, Il, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Vanessa, Samantha, Lorilai, London, and Milo Liu, all of Medford. He is also survived by the last of his five brothers, Liu Teh Bing and his wife, Liu Tze Ying, of Westlake Village, CA, and four nephews.
A Buddhist ceremony will be conducted in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD on Friday May 30th, from 6-8 PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family from 4-8 PM. Interment will be private.