Toai Chi Le

1922 - 2017

Mr. Le Chi Toai, 94, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2017, surrounded by family in his home in West Hartford, CT. Last year, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife and best friend of 73 years, Mrs. Ton Nu Tuy-Nhan. A man of few words, Mr. Le is revered in his community and will be remembered for his steadying presence, wisdom, and devotion to his family, community and religion. Born in Hue, Vietnam in 1922, Mr. Le was an aspiring artist who went on to become the Inspector General of Central Vietnam's Ministry of Economics. He held this position until the end of the war in 1975, at which point he emigrated to the United States with his family. Settling in Connecticut, Mr. Le worked for the Kaman Corporation until his retirement at the age of 70. Outside of work, Mr. Le and his wife played a vital role in establishing the Vietnamese community in Connecticut. Dedicated to the daily pursuit of mindfulness and peace, he was a founding member and former president of the Hai An Buddhist Pagoda, one of the oldest Vietnamese pagodas in the US. With his wife, he opened Vietnam House, a grocery store which also served as a cultural touchstone for Vietnamese families seeking familiar comforts as they acclimated to their new country. A lifetime of spiritual practice and meditation instilled in him a deep appreciation for the value in every moment, and from his first breath to his last, Mr. Le's life was filled with quiet dignity, loving kindness, and grace. His memory will be carried on by his family, as he is survived by eight children and their spouses, 20 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife and a son. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hai An Pagoda, 255 Cherry Street, New Britain, CT 06051. At the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home (807 Bloomfield Ave, Windsor, CT), calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and the Funeral Service and Cremation will take place on Sunday, March 12 from 10:00 AM to 12 noon.