Anthony Hoang Nguyen

There's so much on my heart to share about our dad that words simply aren't enough to describe what an incredible man he was. We've always known dad to be a kind and generous person. But not until the last few weeks of his life that we learned how much he is loved by everyone who knows him. Family, friends, and colleagues, as well as his church community (especially the Knight of Columbus, in which he was a Grand Knight) pulled together to visit and offer support in every way possible.

Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." That is exactly how dad lived his life. He was the biggest server and he's taught us that value. He taught us how to be selfless by being selfless. Dad was a caring and loving husband and father, a wonderful son, brother, and uncle. He was an awesome grandfather to his two grandsons. They are so blessed to have shared precious memories with him. Dad lived a life devoted to his family, his church, his employees and friends.

Dad was always a fighter, from surviving concentration camp in Vietnam, to working hard to adjust to life in America as an immigrant raising a young family. He survived multiple surgeries including the latest and most extensive surgery to remove his cancer in 2014. Despite being told he would only have months to live due to the metastases, dad was always faithful that God has a plan for him.

Although losing our dad will always leave the biggest void in all of our hearts, we know he is now where he belongs, and that is with our Heavenly Father. He will be missed tremendously by all those whose lives he has touched and impacted. This world has lost an incredible man of strength, honor, and integrity. But we know as long as we follow his examples of living a life of love and compassion, we will one day be united with him in Heaven.

So this is not 'goodbye', but 'see you again', Daddy.

With love,

The Nguyen Family

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11: "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."