Thuy Tran

Thuy D. Tran, 69, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at ManorCare in Carlisle, PA.  Thuy was born on Friday, October 13, 1950 in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. His father was Thu Van Tran and his mother was Dao Thi Vu. He was the second oldest of eight children with three sisters and four brothers.

In Vietnam, Thuy focused his studies on mathematics and electronics during high school.  He studied Electronics at the University of Science in SaiGon until he was drafted into the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as an officer.  He was captured as a POW by the North Vietnamese Army. 

Thuy started working for the government in the National Section in SaiGon in electrical repair and maintenance from 1972 to 1980, as well as in the Traffic Division for the new government in electrical repair and maintenance from 1975 to 1980. He repaired things like washers, dryers, radios, cassette players, televisions, and radios. 

In 1980, Thuy left Vietnam to begin his journey to the US.  He immigrated to the US from Malaysia in 1981.  He became the first in his family to live in the US. 

In the US, Thuy studied to become an electronic technician at the California Trade Technical School in Long Beach, CA.  He completed the program in ten months and earned his diploma in 1981.  Recalling how he had passed his courses, he would laugh and say he mostly looked at the pictures in his books.

Over the next few years, he worked as an electronic technician at Oak Communication Systems in Carlsbad, CA and Dyna-Five Corporation in Garden Grove, CA. 

In 1984, Thuy moved from California to Pennsylvania, where he settled down and got married in 1985.  He ended up working for 23 years at Y&S Candies in Lancaster, from 1985 to 2008.  After retiring, Thuy visited Vietnam for a few months from 2008 to 2009 for the first time since emigrating, and reunited with his family.

Thuy loved to play, watch, and coach soccer.  His favorite football team was the San Francisco 49ers.  He enjoyed watching sports and action movies, fixing things, tinkering with cars and electronics, shopping, and traveling.  Thuy found purpose in helping others and dedicated much of his life to doing so.  He was a supportive and caring father who was highly involved in his children’s lives and extracurricular activities.

Thuy is survived by two daughters: Thuy-Tien “Tiena” Tran, of Camp Hill, and Thuy-Phuong “Vi” Tran, of Reading.  Also surviving is a granddaughter, Tailynn Tran, as well as one sister in the US and four brothers in Vietnam.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements have been entrusted with the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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