hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
1:29 pm, Thursday, May 21, 2026
66°F
47 %
Wind Gust: 6 mph
Clouds: 100%
Sunrise: 5:19 am
Sunset: 8:06 pm

SIGN UP TODAY!
BREAKING NEWS & DAILY NEWSLETTER





Wen Tanubrata, 93

by | May 1, 2020 | News, Obituaries

OB Wen Tanubrata HI 5-20-20

Eugene (Wen) Tanubrata (Tan Kai Jan) departed this world the morning of April 30, in his 93rd year. Wen’s amazing life spanned many generations and continents. He was born March 26, 1927, in Cirebon, Indonesia, to Tan Gin Han and Nelly De Vos, the second youngest of eight siblings and two half-siblings. He married the love of his life, Weilien Huang (Oey Hwei Lian), on Sept. 7, 1948. With their family, he immigrated from Indonesia to Yunnan, China, then to Hong Kong, and finally to the United States as his children attended college.

Wen had an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit. He was fluent in at least four languages (Dutch, Chinese, Indonesian, English) and multiple dialects. Wen held many trades in order to provide for his family and communities, among them engineer, car mechanic, distributor, store owner, restaurateur and caregiver to a bevy of grandchildren. He was an avid practitioner of martial arts (kung fu and tai chi) and taught volunteer classes at community and senior centers. His musical talent was innate — playing multiple instruments, learning music by ear and bringing joy across the world to family and friends. He loved to play chess with his family and friends and regularly schooled friends half his age. In all these endeavors he was self-taught and displayed a keen intellect and curiosity his entire life.

Wen is predeceased by his wife, Weilien (Oma), and all his siblings. He is survived by his four children, Julia Tanubrata Tate, Leina Tanubrata Mahylis, William Hin Tanubrata and Chandra Tanubrata, and their respective spouses. Opa also is survived by a legacy of grandchildren: Jennifer, Jocelyn, Alexander, Tiffany, Brian, Albert, Helen, Alison, and Robert; and great-grandchildren: James, Elliott, Julianne, and Peter; as well as numerous loving relatives near and far.

A private viewing and virtual memorial service will be held on May 2 at Callanan Cronin Funeral Home in Hopkinton.

To see more Hopkinton Independent obituaries, click here.

0 Comments

Related Articles

Edward Halloran, 81

Edward L. Halloran, 81, of Hopkinton passed away at his home surrounded by his family on May 20, 2026. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Doris (Dexter) and Henry Halloran. Ed dedicated more than 30 years of his life working as a car assembler at...

Edward Halloran

WSAB to recommend water, sewer rate hikes to Select Board

The Water & Sewer Advisory Board on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend water and sewer rate increases to the Select Board in June. After reviewing three options for each rate included in a rate study presented at the meeting, members recommended to...

PFAS filtration system at Well #6

Arrests/Police Log, May 20 edition

ARRESTS May 12 9:57 p.m. On Walcott Street, Officers Kyle Quinzani and Justin Cappuccio arrested a 19-year-old from Bishop Street in Framingham and charged him with speeding in violation of special regulation and operation of motor vehicle with license suspended...

Hopkinton police cruiser

McSweeney, Irwin win School Committee seats in Annual Town Election

School Committee chair Kyla McSweeney will return for another term, joined by newcomer Sandra Irwin, in the main contested race in Monday’s Annual Town Election. McSweeney garnered a total of 679 votes, winning all five precincts. Irwin won 529 votes, coming in...

Election ballot

Main Street hydrant test expected to cause water discoloration

The Water-Sewer Department will be conducting a required hydrant flow test on Main Street on Tuesday. The test is scheduled for 10 p.m. at 13 Main Street. In a notice to residents, Water-Sewer Manager Jed Fenneuff said officials were anticipating the flow test to...

Fire hydrant
Key Storage 4.14.22