Our Lady of Rosary Vietnamese Catholic Community

In lieu of flowers in memoriam for Hao Van Nguyen, donations may be made to Our Lady of Rosary Vietnamese Catholic Community (Cong Doan Nu Vuong Man Coi). This church community was started by the influx of Vietnamese refugees in the late 1980s, and continues to serve as a social and spiritual hub for the burgeoning Vietnamese community in the Philadelphia area. Hao and his family found a welcoming community and new home with this church, and his family continue to be devoted parishioners.

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Hao Van Nguyen

August 15, 1951 to January 17, 2022

Beloved husband, father & grandfather of Havertown, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 17, 2022. He is survived by his dear wife of 50 years, Lan; seven children, Quyen (Peter) Mark, Ha (Randall) Orbon, Lisa (Meng) Kouch, Kathleen (Christoph) Hahn, Mary (Michael) Carrabine, John (Yvonne) Nguyen and Gerri (Matthew) Nguyen; eight grandchildren, Kathleen Mark, Allie & Kyle Kouch, Axel, Zane & Quinten Orbon, Frederic Hahn and Maxwell Carrabine; siblings Hue Nguyen, The Nguyen, Hien Nguyen, Kim Huong Nguyen, Catherine McEntee, Bob, Kecia & Madison McEntee, Maureen & Marc Bicking and Gerald McEntee.

Born in Nghe An, Vietnam to Hong & Hong Nguyen, Hao was the oldest of eight children. He started his career in Saigon as a South Vietnamese Navy sailor and later proudly served as Quartermaster. After escaping by boat in April 1975 with Lan, Quyen & Ha, Hao settled in the Philadelphia area through the help of Catholic Charities. “Family” grew to include the community of people who helped our family get established, fellow refugees and anyone in need, especially during holidays. He relished fishing, clamming & crabbing with family and friends, always looking forward to annual trips to the sea.

No tribute can do justice to the incredible legacy that Hao leaves. He was a survivor, beating cancer twice and defying odds throughout his life. Hao always bet big on life, remained fiercely dedicated to family, and was often first to commemorate the moment with a selfie. Hao will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 7:00-9:00 PM at Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA; to the funeral mass on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Annunciation BVM Church, 401 Brookline Blvd., Havertown, PA; and interment at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.