Gia Huong Pham

During the Vietnam War, he served as a medical officer in the South Vietnamese army, committed to helping others in one of the most difficult periods in the country’s history. After the war, he and his wife Chuong Thi Pham left their homeland and began anew in Canada, building a life from the ground up.

He worked as a respiratory therapist at BC Children’s Hospital, a career he held for most of his life. He took pride in his work and in contributing meaningfully to the lives of others.

Together with his wife, he raised two children: a son, Hien Gia Ian Pham, and a daughter, My Linh Marilyn Kuan (née Pham). He was a loving grandfather to Kendall, Kadence, and Kellan Kuan.

Mr. Pham had a deep appreciation for life’s pleasures. He loved exotic fruits, snacking, and action movies, and was often found watching nature documentaries or tending to his garden. He was passionate about birdkeeping in earlier years, especially fond of canaries and finches, and maintained a collection of cacti and clivias. His garden was something he took great pride in and he enjoyed showing it off to visitors whenever he had the chance.

He had a distinctive personality - witty, honest, and unfiltered. He wasn’t afraid to challenge people’s thinking or and was unafraid to speak his mind, but it always came from a place of playfulness. His mix of cleverness and mischief made him unforgettable to those who knew him.

Some endearing quotes he’s left us with:

When asking him to deliver on a promise he’s given you:

“The day before the fair is always better than the fair itself.”

“La veille de la fête est toujours plus belle que la fête elle-même”

“C’est l’attente qui est magnifique…”

Upon finding an empty shell in a clam dish:

“Oop, nobody home!”

When sharing expensive fruit and you happened to enjoy it:

“Danger, danger!”

“Nguy hiểm nguy hiểm!"

When food was lacking in flavour/seasoning:

“There is nobody driving the car”

“Không có người lái xe”

When facing a mess (often of his own creation):

“Well, whaddyagonnadoabout it?”

“Bây giờ làm cái gì bây giờ?”

Mr. Pham lived on his own terms. He didn’t take life too seriously and believed in enjoying it while it lasted. He worked hard, laughed often, and gave his family memories full of humor and affection.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Vancouver in 2025, at the age of 78.

He is remembered by his children and grandchildren for his wit, his warmth, and a life lived fully, without hesitation.

We are grateful for the many floral tributes already received. If you wish to honour my father, a monetary contribution would be more helpful at this time. Please contact Ian Pham. Thank you for your kindness and support.

A visitation will be held at Hamilton Harron Funeral Home, located at 5390 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC, V5W 2Z1, on June 18, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at the same location on June 19, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Please use the following link to access Webcasting of the service: https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/111381