Michael Cuong Ton

Michael was born on February 9, 1942 in Saigon, Vietnam to Lam Lang Hoa and Ton Huan. Growing up, he was an avid language student who also enjoyed soccer, swimming and fencing. He found his partner for life at the age of 21 when he met Julie. They married in 1972 and later started a family.

Michael was a consummate scholar. He had a graduate-level education in teaching and was fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, French and English. His penchant for picking up languages also inspired him to study Spanish, Italian, Japanese and German.

Michael was an educator for almost 50 years. He taught at Collège Fraternité Saigon in Vietnam and at Wanganui Boys’ College in New Zealand. After moving to the United States, he served at Canoga Park High School where he taught French, Mathematics and English as a Second Language during his 18-year tenure.

As a family man, Michael enjoyed traveling the world with Julie and their children. Together, they toured England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to many U.S. states. In retirement, he found comfort in reading, dining out, going to the movies with his family and watching TV in his favorite reclining chair. Some of his favorite shows were historical dramas and Western classics.

Michael was a man of few words who demonstrated his love and devotion through action. He took pride in knowing he had never missed a day of work. He was a respected colleague and faithful friend. To Julie, he was a steadfast husband and provider who played a hands-on role in daily family life. To his kids, he exemplified the virtues of perseverance and hard work while offering a lifetime of love.

Michael will be dearly missed but his life and legacy will forever live on through the many lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; their children, Leanne, David and Peter; and his siblings, Minh, Duc Xau, Ha and Chau.

A funeral service will be held on January 30, 2020 at Palm Eastern Mortuary, beginning with a viewing at 9 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at 12 p.m. at Palm Eastern Cemetery.