Ricky (Quoc Ky Tao) was a kind-hearted, warm-hearted gentleman known to all for his bright, welcoming smile.
At 18, he paused his formal education to learn a trade. In Vietnam, he served in the Marine Patrol and later ran his own small shop crafting iron gates. In 1978, he and his younger siblings escaped by boat to Malaysia, eventually immigrating to the United States in 1979. During his early years in America, he worked as a dishwasher while learning English, eventually becoming a chef. In 1984, he married his beautiful and beloved wife, Annie.
Together, Ricky and his devoted wife worked side by side to build and operate several restaurants starting in 1987. They sold their business in 2015, entering a remarkably joyful retirement with plans to travel the world together. Regrettably, in 2017, he was diagnosed with kidney issues that caused leg swelling and pain, making long-distance travel difficult.
Ricky was exceptionally hardworking, frugal, and capable—a true handyman who took pride in doing everything himself. Before his illness, he lovingly prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner for his wife every single day. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, table tennis, billiards, singing, and especially dancing. Above all, he loved gathering with friends and hosting lively social occasions.
In January 2026, he developed a mild cough, and by June, he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer that had metastasized to his liver. Through it all, he remained brave, fought courageously, and embraced treatment out of a deep love for life. Up until his hospital admission, he suffered very little pain. Though he endured a painful two weeks in the hospital, he passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026. He is survived by his elderly mother, his devoted wife, four younger sisters, and three younger brothers.
Ricky (Quoc Ky Tao) 曹國基, 生前是一位和藹可親笑容滿面的紳士.
18 歲就停學學手藝, 还在越南當過海上巡警Marine Patrol, 自己開過一間做鉄門Iron Gate 的小店.
1978 和弟妹 坐小船偷渡到馬來西亞, 1979 移民美國. 到美國初期當洗碗工,学英文, 後做厨師, 1984 和 美麗可愛的Annie結婚,1987 和愛妻共同努力自營不同餐館.
2015 把餐館賣掉, 退休後非常開心,想和愛妻一起去各地旅遊, 曾不想2017 就發現自己有腎的問題, 腳腫痛不宜長途旅遊. Ricky 是一位非常勤簡幹練的人, 什麼都願意自己動手去做.
在生病前每天都為愛妻準備早午晚餐. 業餘時喜歡 种花, 乓乒球, 撞球, 唱歌, 最愛跳舞, 更喜歡和朋友一起, 喜热鬧.
2026 一月開始有些咳嗽, 六月檢查出肺癌四期轉移到肝, 但他还是很勇敢願意接受治療, 热爱生命, 在住院前他都沒有什麼疼痛. 就是在医院两週受了些罪. 8/15/2026 在医院安祥離去. 留下在世的老母親, 妻子, 四位妹妹, 三位弟弟.
