Ngamsann Ung

7/12/1929 – 07/05/2023

It is with great sadness to share the passing of Ngamsann Ung, 93, of Salt Lake City, Utah. After recently burying his wife of 67 years, Thoi Thi Quach, Ngamsann was finally ready to rest and was called home to be with her again. He was able to spend the last years and months of his life with his children, grandchildren, and even his great grandchildren. His every need was cared for by his devoted family, especially his daughters Kelly, Ceylon, and Catherine; his son Joey; and his son-in-law Henry who loved him like his very own father.

Along with Thoi, Ngamsann had six children: Catherine Ung (Henry), Norway Ung (Xuan), Sweden Ung (Phuong), Ceylon Choi (Victor), Joey Ung, and Kelly Ung (Darren). The two of them gave their children every opportunity they knew how.

Ngamsann led his family to America in January of 1981, first settling in San Francisco, CA and then relocating to Sandy, Utah where his children worked in the medical device industry. Ngamsann had eleven grandchildren including Lisa Ung Cavaliere (John), Steven Choi (Eileen), Linda Phan (Tu), Carlene Ung Ha (Johnson), Hanson Bun, Michael Truong (Jackie), Sofia Ung, Silvia Ung, Jeffrey Choi, Justin Ung and Angelinny Ung. His nine great grandchildren include Brandon Cam Phan, Brynn Chantha Phan, Andrew John Cavaliere, Parker Sai-Ka Choi, Alexander Henry Cavaliere, Harper Hoeng Choi, Weston Henry Ha, Aspen Hsu Truong, and Aiden Henry Ha.

One of the greatest lessons Gong taught was to “only touch things once”. This means being efficient and smart about getting a job done but also making the best out of any situation. Gong always looked for chance and to took advantage of all the moments as they came along. This is how he brought his family to a new country, and this is how three generations now have been able to chase their own successes and happiness.

A connoisseur of the world, Gong enjoyed traveling abroad, his favorite places being Paris and Vietnam. He also had a deep love for his home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and took frequent trips to visit home. As the Patriarch of the Ung family, Gong would take great pride in capturing his family on pictures and videos on vacations, at special events and would even capture what we thought then was our mundane day-to-day. He cherished documenting the memories, and he was ahead of his time – Gong could have been a social media star. These videos, of course, are now amongst our family’s most valued treasures.

Gong appreciated different cultures and was a collector of experiences. One of his most prized possessions was a binder with currency from all over the world. A tour of his bank notes always entailed an interesting history lesson or story and pictures of what they ate, where they stayed. His travels contributed to his love and appreciation for all types of cuisines. Gong loved to learn and was passionate about history and geography. To us, he basically knew everything. And he probably did. He loved to read and listen to the news.

Gong was always so generous with others, especially his kids and grandkids and raised all of us to live our lives with just a bit of swagger. He knew anything was possible, even winning the lottery. He loved to spend his extra pocket money on pressing his luck at the tables or slot machines and probably bought hundreds of lottery tickets in his lifetime. He never quite won the Mega Millions, but all of us feel like we won the lottery because we had him. And all of us have been given the opportunity to chase whatever we want because of him. Rest peacefully, Gong. We love you.