It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Stephen Nackchul Choi, a man of intense faith, humor, and generosity. Born January 9th, 1951 in Seoul, South Korea, Mr. Choi passed away peacefully on April 27th, 2026 in Houston, TX surrounded by family and friends. He was the beloved husband of Kim Choi, and loving father of Michelle Lee of Weston, CT, Karen Choi and her husband, Steven Pagan, of Houston, TX, and Daniel Choi and his wife, Cassie Rim, of Barrington, RI. Stephen was a devoted brother of Nackgu Choi of Seoul, Korea, Kyoungsook Choi of Seoul, Korea, and the late Hyunsook Choi and Nackbum Choi. He is also survived by four beloved grandchildren, Maia, Aster, Nora, and Lucas, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

He will be missed.

After graduating from Korea University with a degree in chemistry, Mr. Choi immigrated to Chicago, IL with his wife, Kim, in 1977 to pursue a second Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at University of Illinois at Circle Campus and a Master's degree in chemical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Mr. Choi eventually planted roots in the greater Boston area. As a devout Christian, he saw a need for a Korean Christian community in the area and founded the Korean Hope Church of Boston in 1986. After transitioning leadership of Korean Hope Church to the next generation, he joined the Grace Chapel community in 2017. He had always dreamed of achieving the American ideal, of building something of his own and being his own boss. In 2005, he retired from chemical engineering to pursue that dream, as the owner of The Café on New Chardon which he managed with dedication until his passing.

He was known to many in the Boston community as simply, Steve, or "jangnonim," meaning "elder" in Korean. He loved Boston sports, Boston seafood, and above all else, his Boston community. From his patrons at the Cafe to countless graduate/post-doctoral students from Korea passing through for a meal or just good old life advice, his heart and home was always open. He was immensely proud of his three children, and Mr. Choi proudly wore hats with his children's alma maters in rotation. He deeply loved his grandchildren, Maia, Aster, Nora, and Lucas, and granddog, Sterling and will always be the loving, smiling "Hapi/Harabojee." He will be remembered for Kimball's Ice Cream runs, "free" snacks from his cafe, and homemade waffles. Above all else, he loved his wife and partner of 49 years, Kim, with whom he got to have many great adventures all over the world.

He is now enjoying the greatest adventure of all.

We will be celebrating Mr. Choi's life on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA.    Friends and family may begin visiting at 3pm, followed by a service at 4pm and a reception to follow.

Interment will be private at Westview Cemetery, Lexington, MA. Flowers may be sent to Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA.

A Livestream of the funeral services will be available by clicking the following link. The recording will begin at 3:50, 10 munutes before the service begins.

Please click this link to start - http://www.youtube.com/@memorialpictures