Remembering A Life Well Lived: Leo Chen’s Legacy

REMEMBERING A LIFE WELL LIVED

LEO CHEN’S LEGACY

BY CHRISTINA RUOTOLO

OVID hit the restaurant community hard last year, but nothing prepared the community for the sudden loss of Leo Chen, owner of Shogun restaurant. Within the first few hours after learning of his passing, there was an outpouring of love from hundreds of families, friends, customers, and other restaurants on Facebook and other media outlets. We did not just lose a smart, funny, hard-working, and loyal restaurant owner, we lost our friend. Many of us have been to Shogun. It’s where we fed our souls, enjoyed birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, office events and everything in between. Leo and his wife Sherry and the staff were there for these beautiful moments to lift us up, to make us delicious food, and in doing so, they became our family, the people we could turn to when we needed them. All the while, as we were sitting down at their tables, selecting sushi and entree items and laughing with friends and family, Leo was battling his own internal demons, a silent mental health battle. He put on a brave face, showed up every day ready to give the 150% he always did, but as the world chipped away at him, he chipped away at himself, unable to pull himself up, the way he has always pulled others up. In the early morning hours of April 7, 2021, Leo took his own life. Leo was a husband, father, brother, son, friend to us all and passionate soul that left this world all too soon, leaving an insurmountable void in his absence. We cannot imagine the intensity of his suffering or the dark depths of a person’s loneliness and despair that prevented him from reaching out to others for help. We pray that the beauty and gift of Leo’s life will not be overshadowed by the actions of his tragic death. Since his death, we continue to celebrate the memory of Leo, a servant's heart who gave his life for each and every one of us. We will remember all of the wonderful things we each loved, admired and cherished about Leo. Leo meant different things to different people, but he was a friend to everyone. He didn’t just cook our food, he sat with us, ate with us, helped us, and bonded with us. He was our faithful servant. To say Leo was a hard worker is an understatement. He was driven and was always striving for excellence, and you could see that dedication in the food served at Shogun. Leo

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gave us every fiber of his being including his time, his energy, his food, his heart, and in the end, his life. If you had the pleasure of knowing Leo, his wife, Sherry, or his two children Jack or Lina, you knew true friendship. Leo immigrated to this country barely knowing our language, and he and his wife have over the last 20 years, successfully owned and operated two restaurants, the former Tokyo Japan and Shogun. Many people posted their memories of Leo in the days after his death. James Robbins wrote “It is hard to put into words how talented Leo was. Someone once described their first experience hearing Jimi Hendrix live as “we were blown away - it was as if Paganini had walked out on stage with his violin and started playing”. Eating/experiencing Leo’s creations was like that. And it wasn’t just being amazed the first time; it was over and over. Perfection wasn’t good enough for Leo. He was always experimenting, trying to reach that next level of excellence.” Brandon posted this heartfelt message: “Leo is the most warmest, most giving, hardworking person I know. He is a testimony to how grit and tenacity look like. He never gives up for what he believes in and is the truth to how an immigrant could have the American dream as long as he works hard.” Leo was also a community advocate, who not only went to war for us, but helped those in need. He was instrumental last year during COVID shutdowns making sure businesses and medical workers had enough PPE, food, and any other items they were looking for. This past year took its toll on everyone. And even though Leo could be seen in the limelight helping and cooking and assisting those in need, he was silently struggling. Matthew Scully, owner of the Scullery was able to put into words how much Leo sacrificed for himself, his family, his business, and ultimately, for us. “We all looked up to Leo. He was always the hardest working person in the room…. To be the recipient of so much love and happiness in his restaurants, in his presence, eating his food, it's made my life better and happier and more delicious than I deserve. I will miss you every day. Thank you for giving so much. I am so sorry that we took everything you had. You gave and gave, and restaurants take and take and take. They don't always give back, and the saddest part for me is that I understand, at least in a small way, what you were feeling. Being trapped, knowing that you will never catch up, never be good enough, never have enough to give. The restaurant business is brutal for many reasons. You give and give and it always wants more. Leo died from mental illness, he worked himself to death, he gave it all to us. The thing that we respected most, his uncanny work ethic, 7 days a week, grinding, obsessed with quality and always striving to be better, to do more, that might be what killed him. He sacrificed everything to make us happy. And he did make us happy. Shogun and Tokyo before it has been our happy place for a long long time….And always that smile, that smile that gives it all for us to be happy, if only for a little while. Kind, generous, thoughtful, brilliant, artist, master, we watched you grow and bloom, and I am so sorry we couldn't give it back when you needed it most.” Although Leo’s physical presence is no longer here, he was part of the fabric of this community and his memory will live in us when we dine in his restaurant, when we think of his infectious smile, when we take care of our friends and neighbors, we will do these things with a Leo heart or a Leo spirit in mind. Greenville will no longer be the same without Leo. His vision, work ethic, morals, and values he instilled is us all with live as the new fabric of this city is formed. Leo’s legacy must remain and continue to unify this community. Remember, friends, to care for one another and yourself. Don’t let the burdens of your life weigh you down. Hand them over to your family and your friends. No matter what you may be feeling, there are people who want and are willing to help you, but you must ask for help. Give your time, your strength, and lift up those in need with Leo always in your hearts and minds.

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