Winston Chan

WINSTON A. CHAN

DECEMBER 22, 1984 – NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Winston Alvin Chan (40) of Chino, California passed on November 17, 2025. Born to Romanita and Albino Chan of Covina, Winston built a beautiful life centered around his faith, family, brotherhood, and service.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Winston moved to the United States when he was one year old with his parents and older brother, Morris. They settled in Covina, California, where Winston became a big brother to Catherine when he was four years old. Surrounded by his siblings and cousins, Winston spent his childhood climbing the citrus trees around their home on Grondahl Street, playing chess and Filipino card games with his grandfather, and always running from one activity to the next with his sister Catherine and cousins Charlene and Justin trailing close behind him. Winston graduated from Las Palmas Middle School and Northview High School where his school days were filled playing sports, including basketball and tennis. Above all, he loved basketball and often spoke about the life lessons he learned from playing the sport. He deeply valued his teammates who became his second family. He often described his friend group as a brotherhood, and Winston carried their friendships with him through all the phases of his life.

Winston attended the University of California, Irvine (UCI) where he studied and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology in 2007. While at UCI, Winston grew a greater brotherhood by pledging and initiating into the Theta Delta Beta fraternity. The bonds he formed there became cornerstones of his life - not only during his college years, but long after. His Theta Delta Beta brothers stood alongside him as fellow UCI graduates, groomsmen, godparents to his daughters, and constants in his life through countless milestones.

Winston’s family and friends knew him to have a heart of service and duty. After graduating from UCI, he enrolled and completed training at the Orange County Sheriff Office’s Police Academy. During his 17 years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, he worked three Orange County jail facilities and Patrol Operations in Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, and with the Transit Police Services. In 2015, Winston and two of his deputy partners responded to an apartment complex community pool to help a 10-year-old child who was drowning. Winston was instrumental in helping to save the boy’s life by helping to administer CPR. Winston established an excellent work reputation and was well-liked and respected by his fellow deputies who thought of him as hardworking, dependable, and always eager to help. Throughout his career, his supervisors often recognized Winston as humble, a team player, and someone who applied initiative.

Winston met the love of his life, Kristine Viray Chan, in 2009, and started dating in 2013. Surrounded by their friends and families, Winston committed to be her loving and devoted husband in Somis, California on November 6, 2016. They complimented each other’s thoughtful spirit and created a life together that was filled with intentionality and joy. Winston often said that Kristine brought out the best in him. She was the motivation for him to overcome hardships like his inspiring recovery from a severe Achilles tear; supported him in the wellness journeys they embraced together, from running and cold plunges to their self-care and daily fitness routines; and encouraged him in his ambitions and dreams.

Together, they have three beautiful girls. When it came to his daughters, Winston was fully present and always lived in the moment. He often connected with them through playing chess and basketball; telling riddles and jokes during mealtime; and going on trips to the park, Yogurtland, or Target. As a family, whether it was having uninterrupted dinners, spending the day at the beach, or exploring new places and vacationing, they all loved spending quality time with each other and always appreciated the big adventures and small everyday moments. As a husband and father, Winston will always be remembered by his devotion to God, his unwavering love for his family and friends, commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and his inspiring and steadfast determination and perseverance in becoming the best version of himself.

Throughout all the parts of his life, everyone who knew Winston described him as a calm, loyal, and inspiring presence who was the voice of reason in group settings. He encouraged others and wanted the best for them. Above all, his friends and family described him to have God as his north star and had unbroken faith in God’s plan. Winston will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Winston is preceded in death by maternal grandfather Heraclio San Juan, maternal grandmother Rosario San Juan, and paternal grandmother Florencia Chan. Winston is survived by wife Kristine Chan; three daughters Ellie, Norah, and Raegan Chan; parents Romanita and Albino Chan; brother Morris Chan; sister Catherine Chan; two nephews Collin and Conner Dominguez; and many beloved family members and friends.

An open visitation is scheduled at Forest Lawn Covina Hills Tribute Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 12pm – 5pm, with a prayer vigil to follow beginning at sundown. A private funeral mass for his close family, friends, and work colleagues, officiated by Father Elmer Galiza, will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 10am at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church. A private burial to follow. White and red floral arrangements in memory of Winston can be made through Forest Lawn Covina Hills.