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Born in the An Giang Province of Vietnam, Kha served as a naval officer in the South Vietnamese navy from 1971-1975 during the Vietnam War. He trained at the Officer Candidate School, U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI from 1970-1971 as part of the United States' support to the South Vietnamese. Kha immigrated to the United States with Nu as survivors and refugees of the Vietnam War in 1981. Kha and Nu were married at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Charlestown, MA, and raised their family in East Boston, MA where they were devout members of Sacred Heart Parish.
Kha worked in several industries to support his family and provide educational opportunities for his sons. He worked several years as a machinist at General Electric in Lynn, MA, and dedicated the majority of his career as a heavy machinery crane and rigging mechanic at Shaughnessy Crane in South Boston, MA, from which he retired in 2016. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4.
Kha was a disciplined, diligent, and kind man for others, supporting the local Vietnamese and Catholic communities throughout his years in East Boston. Kha spent his retirement years in Braintree, MA, close to his immediate and extended family. He was an avid gardener who grew chili peppers that were both feared and craved among his family and their circles. Above all, he was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and uncle who will be dearly missed by his family.
Visiting hours will be held at Hamel-Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA on Tuesday February 11, 2025 from 4-7pm, followed by a Catholic funeral service at St. Clare's Parish at 1244 Liberty St, Braintree, MA on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 10:00am.
Flowers may be ordered by calling Trang's Flower Shop at (617) 287-8436, or gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Kha to support cancer research and patient care at:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
P.O. Box 849168
Boston, MA 02284
or via dana-farber.org/gift
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Steve Shaughnessy
February 8, 2025
Kha was truly a remarkable man, who overcame adversity and with Nu, started a new life in the US after a perilous journey from Vietnam across the Gulf of Thailand. We were so fortunate to have him join us at Shaughnessy Crane in the late eighties, where his work ethic, mechanical skills and warmth made him a justifiably popular colleague. While he was the first Vietnamese employee at the company, he was far from the last as he encouraged a number of young talented men to follow in his footsteps. His passing, at far too young an age, is a tragedy for Nu and their family as well as for the rest of us, yet we are all richer for having known him.
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Bob McCarthy
February 7, 2025
I was blessed to know and work with Kha Ho for 15 years at Shaughnessy Crane in South Boston. His kindness, generosity, intelligence, strong faith and family values were nothing short of inspirational. I'm so glad to have known him and I am a better person because of him. Rest easy, my friend. Yours was a life well lived. - Bob McCarthy
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