My father, Mr. Au Van Luong was born on January 12, 1933 in the city of Can Giuoc, the province of Long An, Vietnam, to my grandfather - Mr. Au Van The and my grandmother - Mrs. Luu Thi Thu. He has two siblings: Ms. Au Thi Anh and Mr. Au Van Suong.
At twenty-five years old, he established his career in Cho-Lon, Saigon. He first taught at the Phuoc Duc Chinese school, then worked at the Viet Nam Thuong Tin Bank. Thereafter, he worked for the United States Embassy in Saigon until April of 1975.
In 1978, he left Vietnam and landed in Hong Kong. Thereafter, he came to California of the United States in 1980. He continued to support Vietnamese refugees by working for the USCC (United States Catholic Church), which provided economic support for refugees at the time. In 1983, he worked as a Life Insurance Sale Representative for MetLife Insurance Company and was later inspired to open his own insurance agency business in Monterey Park. He professionally retired when he was seventy-five years old.
He was married to Mrs. Tran Thi Muoi Hai and they shared eleven children together. Nine of his children, seventeen of his grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren reside in the United States. Two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren reside in France.
My father, Mr. Au Van Luong was a kind, gentle, diligent, and independent person. One of his many talents was being capable of foreign language fluency in a short period of time. He spoke, read, and wrote Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, French, and English fluently.
He enjoyed delicious food, good company and the presence of his children and grandchildren. He had ninety years of a fulfilling life.
My father peacefully passed away at home on October 13, 2021, leaving a legacy of hard work ethic and strong family values. We will forever remember him for his outspoken ability, kindness and words of wisdom.
