Remembering Chu Minh “Jack” Looc: A Life of Warmth, Passion and Community

Remembering Chu Minh “Jack” Looc

The Wellington real estate community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Chu Minh “Jack” Looc, a much-loved Ray White agent and passionate diver, who tragically passed away at the age of 46 following an accident at Lowry Bay, Lower Hutt.

Jack, known affectionately as “a friend to the world,” was described by his daughter Nikki as a father who cared deeply for his community and was always there when needed.

“He was the most loving father,” she said. “If I messaged him, he would reply in two seconds – it was the same if I called him. I didn’t realise how much I relied on my Dad to just be there until he passed away.”

A Professional Who Led With Heart

Jack’s real estate career was marked not just by results, but by his remarkable compassion.

Based at Ray White Johnsonville, he was a trusted advisor to clients, particularly within Wellington’s Chinese community, where he offered bilingual support and a genuine sense of care.

He also managed multiple properties for landlords, often going far beyond his role to assist tenants—sometimes even helping them secure jobs.

Nikki reflected that, while she always knew her father was popular and social, she hadn’t realised just how many lives he had touched until hearing the stories shared in the days since his passing.

Colleagues at Ray White remember Jack as someone who brought humour, warmth, and kindness into every interaction.

His sales manager, Philip Reeve, said he was “a fun guy to have around the office” who genuinely cared about people.

A Life of Drive and Determination

Jack’s story began in China, before immigrating to New Zealand at the age of 12 with his parents and siblings. His parents opened a bakery, and Jack followed in their entrepreneurial footsteps, running two bakeries with his wife before making the transition into real estate.

That same drive, determination, and commitment to people carried through every chapter of his life.

A Passion for the Ocean

Outside of real estate, Jack was a passionate diver, spending time in the water as often as three times a week. Friends and family recall his determination in the ocean and his joy in sharing its bounty.

“There were times,” Nikki said, “he’d often come back with a big bucket of seafood.”

His love of food was always tied to his love of people—social media shows Jack surrounded by family and friends, gathered around hotpots and buffets, sharing laughter and stories.

Diving wasn’t simply a hobby; it was another way Jack expressed his generosity.

A Legacy of Connection

Jack leaves behind his wife, two children, and two brothers, who now face a future without a husband, father, and sibling whose presence was constant and reassuring.

Nikki, an 18-year-old student at Auckland University, returned home immediately upon hearing her father was missing. “Obviously I knew my dad was very popular, and very social,” she said through tears, “but I didn’t quite realise how many people he had an impact on.”

At the time of his death, police divers recovered his body the same evening after he failed to resurface during a morning dive. The cause of his death is yet to be determined.

Real Estate Today Reflection

Jack Looc’s life is a reminder of what lies at the heart of our industry: people who build trust, lift others up, and give back in ways that go far beyond property.

His legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and connection. He will be remembered as more than an agent—he was a father, a friend, and a man who left his community better for having been in it.