Son Truong Pham

Son Truong Pham, beloved husband, father, brother, cousin, uncle, friend – and most importantly of all, grandfather – passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022. He was surrounded by so much love in his final days. He was 66.

Son was born on June 19, 1955 in Phú Nhuận, Vietnam, to Pham Van Phuong and Diem Thi Do. In 1977, he married Ly Thi Kim Pham, the girl next door. Not soon after, they left Vietnam – like many other “boat people” – in search of a better life.

In 1980, they settled in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, where they benefitted from the kindness of strangers-turned-friends who welcomed the large, boisterous Phamily of refugees. Son and Ly went on to raise their two daughters, Mai and Khanh, with a singular goal in mind: ensuring that their children and their children’s children could live the American Dream. In that, they were successful and their sacrifices were worth it.

Son worked various jobs to provide for his family in Vietnam and here, joining B&G Manufacturing in 1988, where he worked until he retired in 2021. He enjoyed rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles and trying new red wines with his American friends, who called him Sonny.

Son served as a surrogate father, uncle, and brother – a veritable patriarch – to so many. He organized a family travel soccer team, and not one, but two, family bands: The Bonnies and The Blue Stones. They toured Vietnamese night clubs up and down the East Coast, from Philadelphia to Virginia Beach to Boston, and played countless weddings at Golden City. He had a beautiful singing voice, known for his renditions of “Để Quên Con Tim”, “Yêu Em Dài Lâu”, “Niệm Khúc Cuối”, “Và Con Tim Đã Vui Trở Lại”, and “Người Tình Trăm Năm”.

Son was famous for his canh chua but in his later years, he loved nothing more than to cook phở for his grandchildren. Their Ông loved spending time with them riding bikes, swimming, exploring the creek, playing baseball, and spoiling them with TV and ice cream.

Son was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ha, and an infant son, Truong. He is survived by his wife Ly; his daughters Mai (Mark) Robertson and Khanh (Ryan) Stenberg; his five beautiful grandchildren: Matthew, Harper, Rowen, Margot, and Mila; his siblings Lam, Lan, Ngoc, Chinh, Dien, and Phong, and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at National Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia, on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 9:30 am. Family and friends are invited to share a story or memory. Consistent with his wishes, his final resting place will be at Chùa Bảo Quang in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Life with Cancer (a program of the Inova Schar Cancer Institute), the American Lung Association, or Saigon Children (www.saigonchildren.com).

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*Please note that white flowers are considered more appropriate in Vietnamese culture. Red flowers should be avoided.

** For those traveling by car, please note increased traffic in the area during rush hour, and please also be aware of potential protests on the Capital Beltway (I-495) planned for these days, which may cause further traffic delays.