I don’t really have a first memory of Nghia, seems like he just appeared to me. Nghia has been my constant companion for the last ten years. He means the world to Melissa and I, no matter what was happening in my world no amount of bad news could withstand his positivity, spending a couple minutes in his presence was enough to brighten my day. We’ll both miss him more than we know, an I hope his positive spirit affects me for the rest of my days 

Nghia holds the most tender place in my heart with his special kind of love and his sweet tone.  I am so grateful to have met him and I will never forget his influence on my life. 

I met Nghia in 1996. I had just moved to Everett from Dallas Texas. I didn't have any friends, I didn't know anybody and I was looking for a job. I used to smoke back then so I would go and  get my Marlboro Reds  from Wilson's where Nghia was working. I was going through very rough times if you know what I mean. Nghia was such a breath of fresh air. He was so kind and understanding and he had this gift of always putting  a positive spin on a bad situation. We talked on and off until we really hit it off when he was working for Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria. We started going out and talking about life and all kinds of stuff. One time he asked me if I could help him and mentor him to get into  Health and Safety  and I said  sure!!! of course!! You are my friend and I am here for you! After a year of mentoring Nghia I recommended him to my boss then and she hired him. I was so proud of him. The sky was the limit. He started working as a Safety and Health Consultant and was doing great! I wanted to be there for him always as he was for me when I was down and out. He was part of my future. We were supposed to keep going for many more years. I was still mentoring him and showing him the ropes. Nghia passing away was one of those unexpected low points in my life. He was my little brother. I loved him dearly.  He wanted to propose to Kathleen and he wanted me to be his best man. imagine that!  What an honor!!! My deepest condolences to his family and Kathleen. And Nghia, can you do me one last favor? Pick me up when I get to go? Love you my little brother. Christian

Nghia. The news of your passing has just reached me and I am truelly heart broken. I will miss our chats we had and it saddens me that we will not get to meet again after all these years for that beer we often spoke about. 
I shared a great summer with you at camp killoqua in 1996 and we have remained distant friends ever since.  
Rest easy my friend until we finally meet again x 💔

Nghia,
Some people walk the earth in constant turmoil, but you walked with peace and love at the forefront. I believe you are one of the angels sent here to teach and touch us all with your beautiful soul. I'm feeling blessed to know you. Rest easy my friend, as I know flying with angels will be alot of work. I will miss you, but like every one you touched, I will still find you in the the next moment of meditation, in the next beautiful sunset, in the next cleansing rainstorm, and in the next quiet, peaceful moment of reflection. You will always be a part of my peace...now open your magnificent wings and fly my friend.  Love you.


Well.. my heart reaches out to all family and friends, over the years maintaining contact was so natural, easy/out going laidback words of advice I could always count on and know that always unconditionally love was always given, I will miss you kind sir..
From 6th grade until now you have been part of my secret world, now no longer a secret I feel at a loss

I had the good fortune coach and to teach Nghia at Bellingham High School. He was witty, positive, inquisitive, and kind. Like the entire Trinh family, it was amazing to see how he adapted to their migration to the US and how they thrived. Nghia...you are already greatly missed!

We’ve been Sunset Dr. neighbors, classmates, and friends for many years!  I’ll always remember teaming up with you to play outside, our years at Parkview Elementary and Bellingham High.  

I’m saddened that you’re gone so soon, but thankful and blessed that we knew each other!  Rest In Peace and many comforting thoughts and prayers to your family! 


Nghia....
I don’t even know how to start. 
Guess from the beginning...
 I met Nghia at Wilson’s Delicatessen where I was a stock boy, at the age of 17, and he was hired as a cashier. We ended up hitting it off. I went to my first “real” concert with Nghia, The Presidents of the USA. After that, we became friends. 
After I graduated high school I moved into the same apartments as him. We started hanging out more and more, then we became brothers. 
Nghia and I have done soooo much together, from going to Sea-Chicken games to Mariner games, from seeing Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, to the local band that a buddy of ours played for.  Camping, road trips, or just hanging out in our “living room”, which was my apartment. 
Nghia helped show me the way into the world. His way of thinking was nothing like I’ve seen before. I told him once that he was my “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and there is nothing farther from the truth. 
I KNOW Nghia impacted so many lives, in just the six or so years that we were inseparable. 
Nghia was an awesome writer. I tried to start writing poetry, he would alway follow up one of my writings with one of his own “reply’s.” I’m sure he has a few stacks of books he’s filled out with his writings. 
We went through so many good times, and we were there for each other during the hard. 
Once, I remember, a conversation we had together. “If, by some chance, we do drift apart, we will see each other at a time and the Love will still be there!” 
I don’t think I’ve loved another soul as much as I loved Nghia.


Dear Nghia, 
I still can’t believe you’re gone. You were one of the first people I met 10 Years ago when i moved to Washington from Texas. You were a great friend with a kind heart and I’m lucky to have known you. I have many memories of you from serving you at Tailgators and our wild group gatherings, but what sticks out the most is how supportive you were when I decided to pursue my music career. You attended several local shows and always made sure to let me know how happy you were to watch me grow as a musician. I will forever cherish our friendship and I hope you know how loved you are by not only me, but many others... More than you probably knew. You lived a great life and were taken to soon, but someone up above needed a new Angel. I know you’re watching over us , and I promise to show more kindness and spread it throughout the community, just as you did. RIP my friend. 

So many of us adore and love Nghia. He was a great friend who everyone could count on. He was so smart, funny, kind, and generous. But with Nghia, there was something extra. He had a light, an energy and an openness, that shined from the core of his being. 

My husband and I, along with countless other friends, are grateful to have spent time with Nghia. He was a comfort in times of sorrow and a cheerleader in times of hope. You always knew Nghia wished you the very best. 

To his family, we offer our most sincere condolences in this devastating time. We are so sorry your beloved Nghia is no longer physically here with us. We hope you take solace in the fact that Nghia changed the World. 

Shuksan Middle School... Bellingham High School...

 We didn’t know each other that well, but we always had at least one class together each year. 

Fast forward 20-30 years, I found you on Facebook, and once in awhile you would post some poetry you had written... and you’d blow me away... Always some funny insights about the world around us... A Seahawks fan after my own heart... You’d sometimes post your workouts too (I loved your Instagram name: Nghiagoeshard). You had a smile that just made everyone around you want to smile too. 

Definitely taken away too soon. 

My Little Brother "Nghia Boy" was the best kid brother a big sister could ever have. His nickname came from our Father, Bo Tin as a term of endearment. The youngest of 6 kids, he was Daddy's Boy and by far Bo Tin's favorite.

When we were growing up on Sunset Dr. I  remember playing with him in the living room on the Bear blanket, running around playing Kick-the-Can, and playing baseball at "The Field" with all the neighbors. 

As we got older, he would tie up the phone lines talking to his friends for hours on end. Any time you needed to use the phone, Nghia was on it. When they invented Call Waiting that made it a little better, but he remained on that phone connecting with people, listening, and really making an impact on his friends at a young age. I have read some posts from those friends and my heart is warm knowing his kind spirit and ability to listen was impactful and his friends continue to carry these memories with them.

His gentle spirit and positivity radiated from his being, and he never met a stranger. His wisdom and teachings in his writings and social media posts were wise beyond his years. He gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, even when they wronged him.  Most of us would hold a grudge but not Nghia. He saw the good and kindness around  him.

Family gatherings were always more fun when Nghia was around. He would walk into the Harrington's home swinging his 6-pack of craft beer to share with everyone, and greet me with a "Wassuuppp sis?!" The bright smile that accompanied his greetings remains priceless.

Being avid sports fans, we would compete head-to-head on Fantasy Football a few times a year. I would talk a lot of smack, and Nghia would stay humble and cordial and eventually win most of our showdowns. We also enjoyed playing golf together, catching the earliest of tee times, as dew sweepers. Our side bets were always competitive, and I  would be mad yet proud, when he won.

I  am so proud of him, and love him so much. 

I met Nghia in the 8thgrade when I moved right up the street from him on Sunset Dr. We met on the first day of school at the bus stop. We became fast friends and spent many days after school, and on weekends sitting outside on our porches with endless conversations and laughter. Fast forward 33 years and he still is one of my closest friends. We still shared many laughs and conversations over all these years. Losing him is just heartbreaking for everyone he knew. He brought happiness to everyone with his kind and compassionate heart. Condolences to all of his family and Kathleen, I can't even image what you are feeling. Until we meet again. Love you my friend.

Ever smiling, his spirit forever sweet and holds  a special spot in my heart. An easy kind soul who got  along with everyone. He was a lover not a fighter and brought great memories to many.  Now that he is gone, I’m so sad I didn’t get more time with him but I will cherish all of our stories together; 3 different Schools, and many laughs and good times. We walked to school together most days my 7th and 8th grade. I always thought I was older than him, but wasn’t! Miss you Nghia. Hope to see you again someday. 

Dear Brother Nghia, I’m heartbroken. You were taken from us too soon. I will miss your big bear hug, your smile, your, ”Hey Sister!”  You always made an effort to be there. You always listened.  You had a wonderful spirituality about you. You were tuned into a wisdom beyond your years and oh how you loved your family! You had a philosopher’s mind and a poet’s heart.  I love you Nghia and will miss you forever. 

Nghia was in my fourth grade class. He was so special that I have never forgotten him and then he found me on Facebook. It was only about a month ago that we reconnected because of his friend Caleb Jensen. I was just getting to know him and I am saddened by his passing. I will forever keep his smile with me. It hasn’t changed since he was in the fourth grade. Roxanne Melland

I met Nghia at 18 and he was 23... We both grew up in Bellingham but met in Everett. He was working at Wilson's and lived above the tiny lil store on Rucker Ave.  I am who I am today mostly because of Nghia. I do not know what my direction in life would be if he didn't take the time to teach me love, patience, to be kind, to not take things as personal, to laugh, to sing, to rock out in the car to to the same 80s song cause I had no stereo at the top of his lungs.. and when I became pregnant with my daughter kaylah, I asked him to please be her godfather.  There were a couple years we had her party at Brooklyn bro pizza where he worked.  Even though she is now 20 he always made sure she knew he loved her. Also when we saw each other it's like life and time never passed.. he was always so positive.  We went to many concerts together and made me a huge pearl jam fan. Even when things got heavy at times, loosing a good friend of ours in 2011 he was always there to turn a bad situation into a strong loving one.  I have many beautiful memories of Nghia and not one is negitive.  He gave me a safe space in his heart and life like I'm sure he did for everyone else. I'm sending light and love to his girlfriend, family and many friends.. I carry a huge part of him in my heart and will through out my entire journey. He was a kindred spirit. Till we meet again my brother.  Rest in peace.. 

Brother Nghia was a massive supporter of his Seahawks and Mariners.  While we didn’t get to watch as many games together as we’d have liked to, we always talked about the teams. I am a huge fan also, so this shared love was a joy to me.  One thing I would always notice , is whenever we were watching a game together, I’d always default to worst case scenario, as if preparing myself for the worst possible outcome.  But no matter how dire the situation looked, Nghia was always positive regarding his team- “ you gotta believe.  It ain’t over until it’s over.  There’s always a chance!”  I loved that about him.  ALWAYS positivity.  He lived his life that way.  We should all live our lives that way.  I miss you, Brother.  

Nghia was always a source of positive energy in my life. I will never forget how welcoming he was towards me from the first time we met until the last time I saw him. He left a lasting impression on everyone he came in contact with. I love you, brother. I'll see you on the other side. 

OBITUARY

Nghia Ba Minh Trinh

October 17, 1973 – July 12, 2020

Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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