In Loving Memory of Nam Vu

Nam Vu, a devoted father, cherished husband, and courageous veteran of the Vietnam War, passed away peacefully on March 10th at the age of 77. Born in Thai Binh, Vietnam on May 4th, 1946, of the eldest among 6 other siblings, he lived a life filled with love, courage, and unwavering dedication to his family and countries, Vietnam and Canada.

Nam was predeceased by his father Toai Van Vu, mother Tu Thi To, first wife Van Thi Nguyen, and younger brothers: Binh Thanh Vu, and Xuyen Trong Vu (survived by My Anh Nguyen). He is survived by his wife Dung Thi Nguyen, daughter Khanh Vu (Wayne Pitre), son Huy Vu (Tuyen Huynh), son Khoi Vu, and his grandchildren, Elise Pitre, Alex Pitre, and Marcus Pitre. He is also survived by his brothers Viet Vu (Maria Nguyen), Phu Vu, and Cuong Vu (Laura Lu), and sister Terri Thuy Vu, along with many nieces and nephews: Anh, Victoria, Brian, Jennifer, Michelle, Lisa, and Emily.

Nam Vu was a good son who exemplified filial piety. Even while attending high school, Nam dedicated himself to supporting his parents and siblings by tutoring, tirelessly striving to earn extra money for their well-being.

As a young man, Nam answered the call of duty and bravely served his nation during the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1975. Sadly, tragedy struck in 1982 when his first wife, Van Thi Nguyen, was lost at sea as the family escaped Vietnam, leaving behind two children, Khanh and Huy, whom he deeply loved and cherished.

With resilience and determination, Nam restarted his life in Canada. He embarked on a journey of education, attending Centennial College from 1984 to 1988. Despite the challenges of learning a new language and acquiring new skills, he persevered, driven by his commitment to provide for his family.

Upon graduating, Nam embarked on a successful career as an electrical technician, working for esteemed companies such as IBM, Goodwill, and Unisys. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to become the proud owner of VN Computers in Toronto's Chinatown and later on succeeded by his brother, Xuyen Vu, and sister-in-law, My Anh Nguyen.

As the market in Vietnam reopened, Nam seized the opportunity to return with his two children, determined to create a new business venture selling office machinery retail and wholesale. It was during this time, in 1993, that he met his second wife, Dung, whom he later married and with whom he welcomed a son, Khoi.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nam was a loving and nurturing father who always prioritized his family. His kindness, wisdom, and gentle guidance enriched the lives of those around him. He enjoyed socializing with his siblings, families, and friends, sharing stories and laughter over meals. His passion for cooking and gardening brought joy to those around him, as he delighted in cultivating vibrant gardens and enjoying delicious meals for his loved ones.

Nam Vu had an insatiable curiosity for technology and was always eager to learn how things worked. He enthusiastically embraced new technologies, often tinkering and troubleshooting to ensure everything ran smoothly.

In addition to his love for family and technology, Nam cherished spending time with his grandchildren, celebrating their milestones with pride and joy.

On March 16, 2022, Nam was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma stage 4 cancer; his prognosis was terminal. He was treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre with different advanced clinical trials that helped extend his prognosis for 2 years. He is very grateful for Canada’s healthcare system and all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who helped him.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate the life of Nam will be held at The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre at 1535 South Gateway Rd, Mississauga, Ontario, on Saturday, March 16th, with a Buddhist ceremony starting at 9:00 am followed by an open casket visitation between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. A cremation service will take place at Elgin Mills Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres at 2 pm. In place of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Princess Margaret Hospital or contact the family at v.d.nam1947@gmail.com in memory of Nam Vu.