Tu Van Nguyen

June 8, 1955 – July 3, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved father, Tu Van (TV) Nguyen, on July 3, 2024. Tu died of a heart attack following an afternoon ocean swim near his home in Satellite Beach, Florida.

Born in Lang Co, Vietnam, Tu was the youngest of 10 siblings. He was a lively child full of energy and a love of the waters. As a teen, he was known for his smart wit, excitement for life, and ability to fix and build anything!

Tu fell in love with and married Huong Ngo from his village in 1976. They had their first child in 1977 but lost him only a few hours later. Their second child arrived in 1978. With a desire to provide a better life for their family, Tu and Huong fled Vietnam with their 3-month old daughter in a crowded fishing boat along with 35 others seeking freedom. The boat survived the rough seas and Tu and family sheltered in a refugee camp in the Philippines for 7 months before emigrating to the United States in 1979. With no English skills and no money in his pocket, Tu’s amazing grit and resilience fueled by the desire to take care of his family helped him secure his first job at Todd’s Shipyard in Long Beach, California. Tu quickly mastered his trade as a machine mechanic and proudly purchased the family’s first home in Rialto, California in 1987.

Tu and Huong had four additional children and quickly outgrew their first home. Wanting his children to enjoy swimming as much as he did, Tu purchased a home with a large pool where all his children learned to swim and the family hosted many pool parties for the extended family to enjoy together. Tu loved swimming with the kids and almost always won the “who can swim the fastest” or “stay underwater longest” competition. He loved the water!

Tu’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to stay busy led him to explore several ‘gigs’ over the years, however, he loved most to fix machines and bring them back to life with the most creative and cost effective solutions. He always gave his all and more, modeling what a strong work ethic entails. After 41 years in the machine maintenance department at Davis Wire Corp, Tu decided it was time to retire and moved with his wife to Satellite Beach, Florida.

Tu was a person who did not sit still too long. During his short retirement, Tu was able to fish, swim, walk on the beach, work on his garden, and of course, tinker with various projects around the house and his fishing boat, another machine that he brought back to life. He was an active church member and volunteered wherever he could, including building gadgets for the church like a transporting device for a statue of the Virgin Mary with a seatbelt. When he was not working on his home, Tu spent spare time visiting his children and grandchildren in Utah, Hawaii and northern California. Every time he visited, he planted a tree or fixed something for his children.

Tu is survived by his wife (Huong), his five children (Diem, My, Truc, Phong John, Auburn) and his eight grandkids (Mylani, Aleia, AJ, Luke, Matthew, Kate, Jacob, Jet), his brothers and sisters (Ai, An, Can, Thien, Lan, Phung) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family across the globe.

Tu was predeceased by his father (Khach Nguyen) and mother (Vet Nguyen), brothers (Thach and Man) and sister (Binh).

There was a small service held for Tu near his home in Florida on July 8, 2024. Tu’s body was transported to San Bernardino where he will be buried near his mother, father, and brothers. Tu’s funeral will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

9:00 Visitation at Our Lady of Hope Church, 6885 Del Rosa Ave., San Bernardino CA

10:00 Prayer

10:30 Mass

12:00 Burial at Mt. View Cemetery, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino, CA

1:00 – 4:00 Celebration of Life at NPR Event Center, 2200 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino