Vinh Q. Pham

Vinh Q. Pham

Passed: March 28, 2020

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Vinh Q. Pham

Vinh Q. Pham passed away on March 28, 2020 surrounded by his family at home in Trabuco Canyon, California, after a valiant battle against esophageal cancer, though his diagnosis did not define the nearly 64 years he spent as a loving husband and father, and devoted son and brother.

He is survived by his wife Kathy; daughters, Kristina and Caroline; son-in-law, Bradley Ross; mother, Nien; brothers, Phat, Hanh, Tam, and Hue; and sister, Thu. He was preceded in death by his father, Kinh Pham.

Vinh was born in 1956 to Kinh and Nien Pham in Saigon, Vietnam. A natural athlete, he excelled at tennis from a young age, spending his days playing at Cercle Sportif Saïgonnais and earning numerous accolades, including junior national champion of Vietnam as a teenager. He left Vietnam in 1973, landing at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 1974, where he played on the collegiate tennis team. He majored in business administration, though it might as well have been ping pong, foosball or pool, for all the time he spent in the student union’s game room. It was at UWSP where he met and fell in love with Kathy Isherwood. Though decidedly opposite, they were also somehow perfectly suited to one another, and would marry in 1981. In 1983, a job offer for Vinh led them to southern California. In 1986, they welcomed their first daughter, Kristina, and then their second, Caroline, in 1988.

Vinh was, in every respect, a simple guy. He was a man of his word. He valued family, peace, order, and brevity. (He would likely say this obituary should have ended by now. “Too much,” he would always say, with a wave of his hand.) He worked hard to build a good life for his family, spending 12 years of his career as a systems analyst for Pacific Life in Newport Beach, where he continued to work throughout his treatment. Though reserved, he had a sly, often surprising, sense of humor and impeccable comedic timing. He had a warm, beaming smile that came most easily while having a laugh with his siblings over a meal or a beer with his tennis friends after a good day at the courts. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his quiet strength, and his laid-back, easy spirit. All his life, he led by example, in his own calm, selfless way. He will be missed enormously.

We will celebrate Vinh’s life with a memorial service at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 9:30am. Flowers may be sent to O’Connor Mortuary and donations may be made to the Hoag Family Cancer Institute in memory of Vinh Q. Pham.

Click to view our memorial video tribute to Vinh, which will also play during his service.

 

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: April 8, 2020 (9:00 AM)
  • Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
  • Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 581-4300

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20 responses to Vinh Q. Pham

  1. Khoi Truong says:

    Vinh, my brother, my best friend, my Best Man …. you will be missed tremendously and forever in my heart.

    I will never forget in 1977, when you drove from Wisconsin to California for 3 days and 2 nights straight, to be the Best Man in our wedding. I am thankful for our wonderful memories growing up together.

    Rest in peace my friend.

    Khoi Truong

    1. To my dearest cousin Vinh Phạm, I haven’t had time to chat with you then you had already gone, I miss you , man. In my mind keeps repeating what you called me:” Người anh em” whenever we chat, so simple but meant so real. Yes man, eventhough we were cousins but we were so close as brothers since our childhood until we met again after so many years apart, we were still brothers. Never can I forget your face when you smiled , your voice when you talked, so kind so nice . Anyway you already left, may your soul be happy and peaceful in heaven. Bye forever, Vinh.

  2. May you Rest In Peace. Beautiful family.

  3. Andre says:

    Vinh, You are and will always be a smile. That is how I remember You. And, in the background, there is a tennis court.
    So sad you went so early. It just doesn’t make sense.
    Rest in peace.
    Andre, Florence, Jennifer and Emilie

  4. My condolences to Kathy, to your daughters, and to Vinh’s family. I watched the beautiful ceremony online. It hurts that I cannot be there to give you all a hug and deliver my message personally.

  5. Chi VanLang says:

    my dear Vinh, you are my one and only college room mate and a dear friend of more than 50 years. It is sad that we lost a most wonderful person. I want to say thank you to you, Vinh for all the wonderful memories of our times together and for all those years of friendship. God bless your soul and rest in peace now, Vinh… and my condolences to your loved family. Chi’

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