Giao Ngoc Nguyen

On Thursday, February 2, 2023, Giao Ngoc Nguyen, loving husband, father of five children, and grandfather of eleven grandchildren, passed away in San Diego, California, at the age of 83. For several years, he battled serious medical conditions, having been in and out of the hospital.

Giao, was born to Chau Thanh Nguyen and Duong Thi Nguyen in Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam. At the age of two, Giao moved to Saigon, Vietnam. While there, he met and married the love of his life, Dao Tran, on May 15, 1965. They had five children, Hung, Lan, Victoria, Joseph, and Elizabeth.

Giao and Dao lived in Vietnam until the fall of Saigon. In April 1975, Giao led his mother, wife, and children and together they escaped the Vietnamese communist regime. As refugees, they found themselves in Thailand. Eventually, through the compassion of the Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist churches and United States’ immigration policies, the family was sponsored to come to the US and initially made their home in Windon, Minnesota in October 1975. In 1977, they permanently relocated to San Diego.

Giao was a devoted husband and partner to his spouse, as well as a committed father to his five children. His most prized possession was his family, and he perceived that as his biggest accomplishment. As an only child, he had always wanted a big family and considered himself lucky to have five children. He was there for his children through their ups and downs, and taught them to focus on their family, through good times or bad, as family was the most important thing. He wanted to lead by example and show his children that marriage was a sacrament worth honoring.

Aside from his love for his family, Giao was a devout Catholic, passionate about reading the Bible, enjoyed learning Spanish, and watched soccer, particularly during the World Cup. Daily, he read passages from the Bible, watched CNN or his favorite game shows, and attempted to learn new Spanish words, as he often kept a Spanish dictionary by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Dao, five children, and nine grandchildren, Alex, Christian, Daniel, Elenore, Aaron, Gavin, Caleb, Aubrey and Brianna, as well as other extended family. Giao was predeceased by his parents and two grandchildren, Ashley and Nathan.

A visitation for Giao will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.at Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 10, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 4177 Marlborough Ave., San Diego, CA 92105. A witness cremation will occur Friday, February 10, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 12:30 p.m. at Cypress View Crematory, 3953 Imperial Ave., at S. 40th St., San Diego, CA 92113.

May God be with him. He will be forever in our hearts.