Obituary of Thanh Van Duong

Thanh Van Duong, resident of Dawson Creek, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2021 at the age of 76. He was born in 1944 in Rach Gia, Vietnam and was the first of 8 children born to Thai Van Sang (father) and Duong Thi Nguyet (mother). Thanh grew up in Rach Gia Vietnam and was the only child to take his mothers maiden name as his mother was an only child and his father wanted to ensure her surname carried on through future generations. Thanh served as a Police Officer for several years until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. This was when his life drastically changed. Thanh and his family were amongst a group of Vietnamese people called The Boat People where hundreds of thousands of families fled Vietnam in fishing boats in pursuit of a better life. With the help of his father and brother Nam, they built their own boat and left Vietnam on March 11, 1979. There were 63 occupants on the boat including his pregnant wife and 20 other family members. Thanh was the Captain of the boat. After sailing for 4 days, they reached Thailand where they were intercepted by pirates who robbed them of their jewelry. Thankfully no one was injured during the encounter and the pirates did not take what was left of their food. Thanh sailed on and continued their journey where they were again intercepted by another boat. This time the boat was friendly and offered assistance, pulling them to an island in Malaysia. A few days later, Thanh set sail again headed for Indonesia. In Indonesia, they found a small village to settle in for a few months and eventually were moved to the Galang Refugee Camp where they would spend the next 11 months. In the refugee camp, Thanh and his wife had their sixth child, Uyen. Thanh and his family immigrated to Dawson Creek in 1980 with the sponsorship of the St. James Presbyterian Church. He then knew at this point he had made it. All his hard work and sacrifices had finally paid off and his family can now start to rebuild and have a better life. Here in Dawson Creek, Thanh worked as an automotive mechanic for John Van Spronsen. His wife had several jobs, one of them being a sous chef. Eventually, Thanh and his wife owned and operated several restaurants throughout the years; Orion, Silver Dragon and most recently, The Noodle Hut which is now owned and operated by their eldest son Thai. Thanh was a kind, gentle and hardworking man and was known as the Jack of all trades in his family. There was nothing he couldnt do, build or fix. There was nothing he wouldnt do for his family. If you needed him, he would be there in a heartbeat. Rest in Peace Thanh. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Hero. Know that all your sacrifices and the 63 lives you saved will never be forgotten and you will always be our hero and you will always be in our hearts. Thanh is predeceased by his brother Hoa Thai and his daughter Loan Duong. He is survived by his wife Phan Tran; sons Thai (Hong), Vu (Saffron), daughters Linh (Doug), Thuy (Laine), and Uyen (Carl); as well as ten grandchildren Corwin, Tristan, Justin, Logan, Kyle, Thea, Kaitlyn, Brynn, Emmelyn and Solla. His brothers Nam (Kim Tien, Huynh), Hoang (La), Thanh (KimAnh); sisters Dung (Doan), Le (Jay), and Trang. With respect to COVID restrictions no formal service will be held at this time. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Thanh to Networks Ministries, 10500 13 St, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 3W5 Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium