Luy Danh Nguyen

Luy Danh Nguyen passed away on April 13, 2024, at the age of 91 after a full life devoted to his family, country, and community. He was born on December 25, 1932, in Doc Tin, Ha Noi, Vietnam to Nguyen Danh Khuc and Nguyen Thi Xuyen.
Luy left for Saigon at age 14 with his father when the Viet Minh forces seized Hanoi, leaving behind his mother and five siblings. It would not be until 2000, over 50 years after leaving Hanoi, that Luy would reunite with his siblings and their children. Shortly after arriving in Saigon, Luy's father passed away, leaving Luy to live with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Long Huu Nguyen, and their 13 children. Luy grew up with the love and support of his uncle's family and his inseparable cousins and best friends, Bao Nguyen and No Nguyen, at Gia Long Street in Saigon. Luy served his country as Lieutenant Colonel (Trung Tá) in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, defending the advances of the North Vietnamese Forces after finishing Le Ba Cang High School in 1953. Luy was united in holy matrimony to Nu Pham in 1957. They were blessed with four sons and six daughters. After the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, Luy escaped Vietnam on a boat with a group of officers and became the first of the Vietnamese "boat people" migration. Out at sea, Taiwanese fishermen rescued Luy and brought him to Taiwan, where he spent two months in a refugee camp. After a stop-over in Guam and a brief stint at a refugee camp in Pennsylvania, Luy finally settled in Milwaukee, WI, with the help of Father John Thanh Hung. After settling in Milwaukee for a year, he was able to re-establish contact with his wife and children, who remained in Vietnam after the new government confiscated their home. Luy's uncle, Mr. Long, eventually took them in and helped the family settle in Tan Qui Dong. Meanwhile, Luy took on several jobs around Milwaukee and worked hard to support his family back home. Luy reunited with two of his sons in 1978 after they escaped Vietnam to Malaysia. In 1982, Luy's wife and seven remaining children joined him in Milwaukee after escaping Vietnam to South Korea. After leaving his job as a CAD drafter at Allen Bradley, Luy became a business owner and retired in 2000. Over the 25 years spent living in Milwaukee, Luy devoted his time to his family, friends, the Milwaukee Vietnamese community, and many Milwaukee Catholic Churches.
Luy spent his retirement years in Richardson, TX. He loved spending time with his family, caring for his lush garden, and feeding his wide assortment of koi fish.
Luy embodied unwavering principles of integrity, honesty, and kindness throughout his life. As a devoted family man, Luy's love and guidance knew no bounds. He instilled in his family the importance of cherishing their Vietnamese roots by telling stories at the dinner table, nurturing bonds that transcended generations. Luy's commitment to his Catholic faith was profound and unwavering. He found solace and strength in his belief in God, guiding him to live a life filled with compassion and grace. A natural leader, Luy inspired those around him with his strong work ethic and exemplary character. He led by example, earning the respect and admiration of all who knew him. Luy's compassionate spirit extended beyond human relationships to encompass many beloved family pets.
Luy is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, his infant son Thanh, his parents, his sisters Nguyen Thi Phuong, Nguyen Thi Hao, Nguyen Thi Hoan, Nguyen Thi Xuyen, and his son-in-law Nguyen Anh Quan. Luy is survived by his brother, Nguyen Danh Phuc Loc, children: Danh Tuan (Khanh Nguyen), Dieu Tam (Trinh Vu), Anh Dao, Mong Tuyet (Hoa Tuan Le), Bich Tram (Dan Bich Tran), Danh Minh Hung, Steven Danh Minh Thai (Liza Esteban), Ngoctuyen (Joe Kim), Khanh Trang (Dung Pham), and grandchildren: MyLinh, Tien (Paulina), Thao My, Duyen Anh, Quynh Nhu, Anh Thi, Anh Thu, Anh Truc, Tuan Vinh (Haeun Ro), Tuong Vy, Duy Hieu, Duy Minh, Hong An, Thien Ngan, Adam Minh Long, Brianna Minh Phuong, Ellie, Evie, Sebastian, Aivy, and Aidan.