My father brought so much joy to his family and friends. Our kids were lucky to be close to him while growing up. He was there for their birthdays, graduations, music performances, and all the special holidays like Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn festival, Christmas, and all of those times became happy memories. The kids loved going to Dim Sum with Yieyie. He always had little toys for them. We have fond memories of traveling to Thailand with him for my brother-in-law Johnathan's wedding. We visited the Bangkok Zoo with Yieyie and the kids remember feeding giant catfish in a pond with loaves of bread. Another favorite memory of mine was playing the Wii fit as a family when we went to Mammoth for a family reunion when Auntie May and Uncle Johnathan were both there. Dad showed off his meditation skills on the balance board. He sat a long time without the candle going out! In reality, he did live life to the fullest to a ripe old age. Of course we thought Dad would live to be a hundred, so strong an Ox was he.
Though we'll miss seeing Yieyie in person for the children's future birthdays and graduations, I know that he will always watch over us with a smile on his face.
A lighthearted and witty man, Dad never hesitated to crack a joke at his own expense. Such a humble person's great presence became poignantly memorable after his passing.
His gentle yet all-purveying love brings us peace amidst deep sense of loss.
May he return to Buddha's Pureland and continue to shine his light and love upon us.
We'll take Yieyie to Dim Sum and Vietnam in our hearts after Covid is over!
With utmost gratitude and love,
Phan and Li