Mới nói chuyện với Cậu cách đây vài tuần, cậu còn rất vui vẻ mặc dầu còn yếu. Kỳ này tụi con qua không còn được gặp cậu để cậu nói chuyện tâm tình và khoe những cây kiểng thật đẹp mà cậu đã dầy công uốn nắn mấy chục năm nay…Cậu còn hứa lần sau tụi con lái xe qua cậu sẽ cho đem về mấy cây mai quý của cậu…😢. Nhớ cậu thật nhiều…kính cầu xin cậu được an nghỉ trong vòng tay yêu thương của Thượng Đế. 🙏🙏

09/06/2026

Ong Ngoai,

Beyond the heroic stories my mom would tell me about you and how you led the family to escape Vietnam, it is also the small things that I remember and miss about you the most. One recurring memory that I’ll never forget is when you used to drop Nghia and I off at elementary school. After I entered the school, I would walk along a long hallway with windows that overlooked the sidewalk. At each and every window, I would wave goodbye to you, and you would always wave back — up until the very last window. I will always remember your smile whenever I arrived home and would say “Thưa Ong Ngoai Hieu mới về“. Beyond your joyful personality, I also admire how strong you are. I remember when you broke a blue Tae-Kwon-Do practice block that no one else in the family was able to crack. And, whether it was teaching me and the cousins how to use a staff while we were camping, or dedicating months to writing a personal memoir for your family to read, you always had a vast wealth of knowledge to offer. I will also miss hearing you play guitar in the evenings, especially your favorite song, Đường Xưa Lối Cũ. I hope to learn how to play the guitar just as well as you. Ong Ngoai, thank you for all of the happy memories and for looking after our family. You will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Hieu thương ông ngoai nhiều lắm ❤️

Ông Ngoại,

Thank you for being such an incredible presence in my life. I'm so grateful for every moment we spent together, from handing me lì xì envelopes during the Tết holiday to walking Hiếu, Ngọc and me to elementary school every day. When I think of you, I will always remember your strength and resilience—especially from the stories about how you escaped Vietnam by boat with your family, and eventually made it to the US. It is really a testament how family oriented you are, braving danger to provide the best possible future for your family and generations to come. I will also remember the quiet, consistent way you lived your life, tending to the trees and plants in your garden. You were in your garden so much that we can still see you there on Google Maps! It's your tranquil disposition that I will always admire and strive to emulate. I am so grateful to have been your grandchild and promise to honor your memory with the same kindness and strength you showed all of us. Thank you so much for the memories and everything you have done for the family.

Forever grateful,
Nghĩa

Thien, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your father. Although I never had the chance to meet him, I can imagine the kind of person he must have been, knowing the kind, thoughtful, and fair person you are. So much of who we are is shaped by those who raised and loved us, and I’m sure he was deeply proud of the person you’ve become.
Thinking of you and your family and sending you so much love and strength during this difficult time. ❤️

Em xin chia buồn cùng chị Thiên và gia đình.  Cầu mong bác sớm được siêu sinh miền cực lạc.

Thiên và gia đình thân mến,
Xin thành kính chia buồn cùng Thiên và đại gia đình trong thời khắc đau buồn này.  Mong Bác Gái và gia đình luôn bên nhau để cùng nhau vượt qua nỗi mất mát lớn.  Những kỷ niệm đẹp và tình thương của Bác Trai sẽ luôn ở lại trong lòng mỗi người. Cẩu mong Bác được sớm siêu thoát và an nghỉ nơi miền cực lạc

Dear Thien,  

We want you to know that that our hearts are with you as you navigate the profound grief of losing your father. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and assure you that you have the complete support of everyone in our circle of friends. We cherish your father's memory in our thoughts and prayers, hoping for his everlasting peace.  In this difficult period of mourning, you and your family are in our thoughts, and we wish you find comfort and resilience in the company of one another.

Chi Lynn, Cathy, Debbie, Karen, Katrina, Nina, Phuong, Tram, Van.

You are one of the most positive and patient person i know.  Bây giờ mỗi khi đi CA con không còn cơ hội gặp cậu nữa rồi 😢, nhưng cậu hay nói thôi sống bao nhiêu đủ rồi! Bây giờ cậu gặp lại ba con 2 người bạn từ thời học trò & anh em rể dắt nhau đi chơi vui nhe! Chúc Cậu 1 giấc ngủ ngon.   Rest in peace nhe cậu 5! Love & miss you  cậu ❤️

Dear Thien, 

I’m so deeply sorry, my dear friend, for the loss of your beloved father. He was such a gentle, loving and caring man, and his kindness will always be remembered. May the beautiful memories of his love bring you comfort during this difficult time. May your dad rest peacefully. Sending you the biggest hug❤️

Love, 
Linda

Ong Ngoai, 

It has been a pleasure knowing you for the past 16 years of my life. I am so grateful that I got to call you my Ong Ngoai. I remember the times when you used to walk me to elementary school in the early mornings and ask how my day was when you picked me up. When you drove me to places, you always had Octonauts playing in your car and I pretended I was on a rollercoaster when you drove up and down hills. In 2nd grade, I bragged to my classmates that my grandpa had the nicest garden of plants in the neighborhood at the yellow house half a block away. You grew so many interesting things that I liked to look at while playing in the treehouse. Every quarter, I would excitedly show my Report card to you in exchange for an envelope with a beautifully written cursive font that spelled out my name. You were a very peaceful person, and never seemed upset at anything (except for the time I ran around your room with a big bin of legos). It was nice to bike/drive by and see you stand with two hands behind your back and quietly observe your plants in the front yard. 

I hope I can carry the same peaceful nature you had for the rest of my life.

Love,

Ngoc

I was lucky enough to meet this special man only once, so grateful for that meeting!  He had to have been a wonderful father, as I have meet some of his children.  They are wonderful people and very family oriented.  My heart breaks for this family & they are always in my thoughts. Rest in peace Sir❤️

Ông Nội, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words how much you meant to me. I was so grateful to have you as my grandfather and to have grown up with you in my life. Looking at these pictures reminds me of how lucky I was to have you and how much I wish I could have had more time with you. I loved you so much Ông Nội, and I always will. Until we meet again 🤍

OBITUARY

Thanh Van Nguyen

December 18, 1942 – September 6, 2026

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