Funeral for our Father, Saroeun Chan

On February 3, 1944, the world gained one of the most charismatic, creative, funny, and hardworking person, our father, Saroeun Chan.  At the end of a historic year, the universe gained his beloved spirit. 

Our Family is asking for your support with help in offsetting the funeral cost of his unexpected passing. Any support you may contribute is greatly appreciated towards helping us with the traditional Cambodian funeral ceremony and his final resting. Thank you for helping us say farewell as best as we can possibly can.

Funeral Arraignments will be held on January 8th and 9th. For more information, please feel free to contact us. We understand that the risk of Coronavirus is high and do not expect high in-person attendance. For the safety of all, your contribution and donation will whole-heartedly be accepted and appreciated.


Just a Small Piece of His Life

When we first arrived into the United States in 1986 as Cambodian refugees, our father Saroeun Chan and mother Maly Chea, took on a new life and a new world with four small children in their arms, Bopa, Sarin, Sara, and Sarun. From surviving civil wars and genocide, escaping the mine filled jungles and living through multiple refugee camps, Saroeun and Maly and their small family arrived in Syracuse, New York and finally settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 


Our Dad, Saroeun, was a social and charismatic spirit. He made friends with people of all races, ages, and backgrounds. He always introduced himself as "Chan" (sounds like John but with a "c") but all the non-Khmer friends ended up calling him "John". Us kids would get confused when random people ask "Where's John". 


Our Dad, Saroeun, was a creative and fun spirit. Growing up as newly arrived refugees in the late 80's/early 90's, we never had much but our Dad made sure us kids felt like we had everything. He would always find us second-hand toys from old houses he was renovating as a carpenter and we always loved it. We went fishing by the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers in the summers where memories of late afternoon car rides home meant jamming to Billy Joel and Phil Collins on the radio. And when he sees us kids bored from staying in the house during storms, he would build toys out of wood and nails. We remember when he made our own mini Wheel of Fortune spinning wheel. Our family used to sit around the tv watching Wheel of Fortune almost every night. Mom and Dad loved screaming out random letters but of course unable to finish the secret phrase -- but they loved the show anyway. 


Our Dad, Saroeun, cared about people. He was always sharing a joke or a laugh with everyone; whether they were our neighbors, looked wealthy, or looked homeless, he always left an impression. If you-yourself have ever met him, we're sure you have a memory of your interaction <3 


There are so many more memories, stories, and hardships that we can share; that we as a family have overcome; but there is not enough time or space to do it. We are healing as the minutes, hours, and days pass by. As we heal,  all the great, heart warming memories of our dad  is manifesting in the forefront of our minds and hearts. To our Dad, Thank you for being a survivor of genocide, of war, of transmigration, and raising our family. It wasn't the smoothest ride, but it was perfectly what we needed. Thank you and We Love You, Always.