PORTLAND – Hoa Van Nguyen, 69, loving husband of Stephanie Angeline DiLuna Van Nguyen of Portland, passed away on Jan. 15, 2021 at Maine Medical Center.

Born outside of Ho Chi Minh City on March 4, 1951, Hoa was one of six siblings and was predeceased by his beloved mother Xuan and his father Luot.

A veteran of the Vietnam War and the South Vietnamese Army, Hoa left Vietnam in 1975 after the fall of Saigon. He traveled alone by sea for three months, settling in Portland. Hoa and Stephanie, whom he affectionately called Angeline, were to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this September.

Hoa retired from Nissan Bakery after 15 years. Most recently, he found great joy working with the children and staff at Back Cove School on Ocean Avenue.

His easy smile, compassion, love, and generosity touched all who were blessed to know him. He had a special gift of knowing exactly what you needed and then giving it to you at just the right time. He loved to laugh, to play cards, to drive cars, to fish, to play horseshoes, and to entertain his grandchildren. He loved dancing and he was an amazing cook who never turned anyone away from his table. He was a kind, gentle and noble spirit, who loved his Angeline and his family with boundless loving kindness.

Hoa is survived by his wife Stephanie; his son Derek LaVallee and wife Vanessa of Cape Elizabeth; his stepchildren Douglas LaVallee and wife Lisa of Natick, Mass., and Maureen Thayer of Cornish; his grandchildren (who lovingly referred to him as Ong Noi) Samantha Vaznis of Windham, Jak Vaznis of Portland, Maya LaVallee of Cape Elizabeth, Jessica Struhs of Poland, and Emilia and Dylan LaVallee of Natick, Mass.

A Mass of Christian Burial for immediate family members was celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Jan. 23, 2021, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following.

The Van Nguyen family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the doctors and nurses in the COVID-19 ward at Maine Medical Center.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Hoa’s online guest book.