Sum Seto

Sum was preceded in death by his wife Edna Seto. He is survived by his children, Lloyd (Shun-Fong), Kevin (Karen) and Cora (Tim); his grandchildren Ashley (Wesley), Patrick, Daren (Jessica), Eric (Julia), Eugene, and Devin; his great grandchildren Chloe and Avery.

A family-only event was held Friday, July 29, 2022

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20904

10:00 AM -11:00 AM Viewing

11:00 AM -12:00 PM Funeral Service

Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906

1:00 PM -1:20 PM Burial

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Seto family here:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/silver-spring-md/sum-seto-10840857

Sum Seto was born on September 04, 1933 in Guangdong (Canton), China. In 1953, he married Edna and immigrated to the United States, settling in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sum was a capable small business owner and together with his wife ran a laundry business in Baltimore City and then a Chinese carryout restaurant in Baltimore County. They assumed ownership of Charlie’s Laundry for 21 years from 1954 to 1975. Sum worked as a chef in a number of Chinese restaurants in Baltimore City before he and Edna became the original owners of China Rice Inn in Baltimore County. Together, they successfully operated the business for 18 years from 1967 to 1985, selling it after their last child graduated from college. From 1985 to 1991 they took a break from business ownership and worked in several local Chinese restaurants. From 1991 to 1994, they entered into a business venture and became part owners of a Chinese restaurant at the Columbia Mall Food Court. Sum and Edna finally retired after 40 years of hard work, including 8 years of concurrent laundry and restaurant ownership.

Sum’s children, Lloyd, Kevin and Cora were all born in Baltimore City. Sum had no known hobbies except providing for the family. He would drive Lloyd and Kevin (Cora was not born yet) every day to elementary school. He would also take them shopping on the Mondays when he was off work.

As other examples of his priorities as a family man, there was a small period when the family all lived in Galt, Ontario with other extended family members. While living in Galt, Sum would occasionally take the family to Niagara Falls. When back in Baltimore, he finally bought his first family car, he would occasionally drive the entire family to New York City where the Chinatown there was much larger than the Chinatowns in Baltimore or Washington. Once, he took the family to visit the Empire State Building and splurged, staying at the Hotel New Yorker.

Sum would never tire of work. It was his way of providing for his family. He had a hard drive memory for the smallest of details, such as bills, payment dates and exact amounts to the penny. He was a man of few words but could lighten up amongst a small group of friends, especially over mahjong with other Chinese immigrants in the Baltimore area. Those that knew him knew that Sum enjoyed stopping at McDonald’s for his daily cup of coffee. After retirement, when he was home more frequently, Sum was able to talk more with his neighbors. He enjoyed getting to know his neighbors.

Sum passed away of natural causes at his home on Friday, July 8, 2022. He is survived by his children, Lloyd (Shun-Fong), Kevin (Karen) and Cora (Tim); grandchildren Ashley (Wesley), Patrick, Daren (Jessica), Eric (Julia), Eugene, and Devin; great granddaughter Chloe and great grandson Avery.