To my dear Uncle Tom,
It seemed just like yesterday thinking all the memories I had with my uncle. I came to US in 1991, and uncle Tom lived with my parents, my brother and I. He and I used to watch Wheel of Fortune every night and we competed every show. He and my other uncle David took me to Yosemite, and we ended up leaving the park earlier than plan because we had bears wondering our tent. He taught me how to drive. I'm thanksful him for that because I got good techniques from him. It helps me all these years driving everywhere like a man.
The picture shown is the last picture I had with my uncle. I'm glad I invited my parents, uncle Tom and his wife, uncle David and his wife together with my younger brother and his girlfriend for lunch on Oct 
1, 2022. We had a great time, ate and chatted a lot.
I was shocked getting the news that he got cancer. Then I was able to make it to the hospital on April 21, 2023 to see him. He was alert and recognized me. Then he could not talk to me on the second visit on 
May 23, 2023. The third visit on the next day told me that he would not be with us long. Seeing him on hospital bed with all the tubes broke my heart because his illness took a turn so fast.
Now that you are gone, uncle Tom. The whole DAO family will miss you deeply. We believe you reunited with grandma, grandpa and aunties in Heaven and they will look out for you. Rest in peace uncle Tom Trinh Dao.
With love
Your niece
Aileen Anh Dao    


Gởi người anh thân thương. 
Rồi sự thật cũng phải chấp nhận khi anh vô viện em nghe tin có nhắn anh phải khỏe để về vì anh còn nợ chúng em chuyến đi Đông Tây nước Mỹ mà sao anh đành buông suôi. Anh biết Thúy đau thắt tim không chơi vơi ...vì từ đây không người để pha cà phê, trò truyện  cho mỗi sáng , rồi tiếng gọi " bà xã ơi "  " ông xã ơi "  sao đau vậy anh,  mỗi khi chông chênh réo gọi ai đây .
Thôi thì anh ra đi thanh thản nhẹ lòng nhé và nhớ cầu nguyện cho bà xã vợ yêu của anh phải khỏe,  mạnh mẽ để bước tiếp con đường giang dở khi không có anh đồng hành .

To my dearest Thuy,
I'm shocked, and saddened at the same time, when I learned of the passing of A. Trinh. It must be devastated for you. 
I still remember when you announced you're getting married. I teased A. Trinh that he must be very special to capture the heart of my picky friend, you. On the other hand, I was happy that you had found a perfect match, a loving & caring man to be married to.  The happiness on both of your faces undeniable and very genuine. I knew you both were so much in love. "What a perfect couple..." I teased you and remember his shy smiles. 
My deepest condolences to you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I'm just a phone call away.


Một sự mất mát lớn và đau đớn tộn cùng của người vợ khi sự ra đi của người chồng yêu thương của mình , nhưng sự thật vẫn phải chấp nhận ra đi thanh thản nhé anh , hãy cầu nguyện cho người ở lại có sức khỏe, mạnh mẽ để vượt qua cuộc chia ly đầy nước mắt này .

This Thang Long team with Tom Dao got 2nd place in Northern California tournament 1998. All of us will miss you, Tom - the left wing defender of the team! Rest in Peace, anh Tom Dao!

Dear anh Trinh (Tom Dao)
Your last text to me was at 1:01pm April 07, 2023. Today is exactly 2 months! We meant to meet for lunch sometime. Just less than 7 weeks before you departed for good!  So quick! So sudden! Ah! I know you wanna meet Maradona and tell him Argentina got the 3rd Worldcup with Messi.
You and I talked about Worldcup in Qatar in November. Our favorite team was Argentina and they won the World Cup! We were happy to see Messi and La Albiceleste hoisted the cup and ran around the Lusail Stadium.  At least, you enjoyed the last World Cup!  
You will be sorely missed with your big smile! Mr. Tom Dao
Rest in Peace!

Hey Tom,
I’m deeply saddened to hear of your recent passing. Our time together on the soccer field, 30 years ago, holds a special place in my heart. The memories we created, from early Saturday morning and after work practices to victorious moments and endless laughter, will forever stay with me.
Thought you may be physical gone, your presence will live on in our hearts.
Thank you for the incredible moments we shared. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
With heartfelt condolences,
Tràng Tran
P/S : I missed your “xôi đỏ” Tom!

My condolences to you (chị Thuý), anh Tài and your family.
i love this picture of you guys in Iowa City and I’m sure Tom Dao loved it also ❤️❤️

My dear friend,
I will never forget where we met and how we met and became friends.  This was the neighborhood that we got to know each other.  You were one of my great friends who never said no when I needed your help.  There were plenty of memories of you in the past 30 years that I will forever treasure in my heart.  On behalf of all friends in our “Bui Nhui” group, I am sending you our prayers.  We will miss you a lot. RIP anh Trình (aka Our Tom Dao)

With deepest sympathy to chị Thuý and family.
This photo taken on your visit to the University of Iowa in 8/2017.

This photo was taken on your graduation over 30 years ago Tom Dao.  I will treasure our friendship forever.  RIP my dear friend 🙏

Tom, We’re shocked to hear about your passing. It happened so fast, I’m glad I was able to visit you a week before you decided to start your new journey to a pain and suffering free world . You’ll be missed from our group lunches  and tea times. RIP my friend.

At the counter burger. We just love to hang out.

Our last group lunch memory in October 2022. Rest in peace anh Tom. You will always be missed 🙏🙏🙏

My father Tom Dao is survived by his current and only daughter me- Stephanie Rose Acosta. To believe our picture at my highschool graduation would have been our very last picture…. I know we were very close when I was little and after I graduated highschool things became complicated between us. However at the end of the day no matter the negatives he is my dad who only wanted the best for me. He is far from perfect but I’ll be forever grateful he chose me out of thousands of kids for whatever reason as his daughter.. I love you always… Rest in peace dad. 🖤 

OBITUARY

Mr. Tom Trinh Dao

November 4, 1963 – May 25, 2023

Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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