Anson Chan's husband, Archie, dies in hospital after falling ill

Archibald Chan Tai-wing, husband of former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang and former commissioner of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police, died in Queen Mary Hospital yesterday. He was 76.

After feeling unwell at home early yesterday he was taken to hospital by an ambulance and died at 4pm, Anson Chan's office said. Anson Chan, their son Andrew Chan Hung-wai and daughter-in-law Jessica Lee were at his bedside.

Anson Chan had requested privacy for herself and her family, the office said, adding that details of funeral arrangements would be announced in due course. She was seen in the hospital but did not address the press.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said he was profoundly saddened by Chan's death and would offer his deepest condolences to Mrs Chan and her family. He said Chan had outstanding leadership and management skills and was fully committed to public service.

Chan, or 'Archie' as he was popularly known, headed the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police from 1987 to 1996. He met Anson Fang in 1959, the year he graduated from the University of Hong Kong and she began her studies there. They married in 1963 and had a son and a daughter.

He taught physics and chemistry for five years at St Joseph's College before joining Caltex in 1964 and was a senior executive at the fuel giant when he retired.