Hien Le Nguyen

Cary, NC

1926 – May 15, 2012

Hien Le Nguyen passed away peacefully on May 15, 2012, at WakeMed Hospital in Cary. He was born In Hoang Mai, Bac Giang, Vietnam. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nguyen Van Nang and Nguyen Thi So, and brothers, Nguyen Van Nhuong, Nguyen Tien Lang, and Nguyen Khac Man.

Hien is survived by his wife, Khuong, and his children: Lan and his wife, Thuy-dung; Lan and her husband, Vuong; Liem and his wife, Thuy; Lien and her husband, Hung; Loan and her husband, Thuan; Linh and her husband, Brian; Huong, Ha, and Vincent. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren; his nephews, Huy and Thien Nguyen; and many nieces and nephews who reside in Vietnam.

At ten years old, Hien began his studies at a Catholic seminary in Bac Ninh, Vietnam. As a young adult, he established a Catholic parish in Tan Cuong with his late friend and mentor, Rev. Pham Quang Chieu. In 1954, Hien relocated to Dalat, where he founded Vinh Son Liem middle and high schools. He married Khuong in 1957 and taught at Hung Dao private school in Saigon. In 1959, Hien established a Catholic parish, Kien Thiet, in Saigon. In 1963, Hien and his family returned to Dalat, where he raised eight children and served as a teacher for many years. In 1975, with the help of his beloved friend, Trinh Van Loi, Hien and his family fled Vietnam before the fall of Saigon, and temporarily settled in Thailand. Hien and his family lived in Indian Town Gap, PA, until they were sponsored by the parish of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, VA. Hien always remained grateful to the sponsors and community of Virginia Beach for their love and support. The family resided in Virginia Beach for many years, where Hien and Khuong’s youngest son, Vincent was born. Hien obtained a degree as an electronics technician and worked at Texas Instruments. He eventually settled in Raleigh with his family in 1983.

Hien helped establish the Vietnamese Catholic Community in Raleigh and volunteered to teach marriage preparation and religious education. In 1991, Hien opened Dalat Oriental Restaurant in Raleigh. After a successful run, Hien sold the restaurant in 1994 to retire, and missed his customers greatly. Hien spent his retirement dedicated to rebuilding churches destroyed during the Vietnam War and to enable the communities to have a place to worship. His accomplishments included rebuilding churches in Thai Nguyen and Hoang Mai. He continued to support the needy, locally and abroad.

Hien lived a long and full life that was dedicated to God, family, friends, students and community.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex, on Saturday, May 19, at 9:30 AM. Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. No gifts or donations, please.

Hien is deeply loved and missed by his family. They thank friends, family and colleagues for their prayers, love and support. They appreciate Reverend Jonathan A. Woodhall, who provided prayer, comfort and friendship to Hien and his family during the most difficult times. They express heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at WakeMed Cary Hospital, Waverly Hematology Oncology, Apex Family Medicine, and numerous other healthcare providers for their care.

Requiescat in Pace.