Xuong Van

Vu

Xuong Vu (Vũ văn Xướng), 85 years old, of Grand Rapids, peacefully passed at home on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 surrounded by his family. Xuong was born in Đồng Chưa, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình in Northern Vietnam; he fled communism and escaped to Southern Vietnam in 1954. His family was forced to separate and a majority of the family remained in the North. He was not able to see his mother and siblings for 28 years. Xuong was a police officer for the Republic of Vietnam for 12 years. In 1975, shortly after the communist regime took Southern Vietnam, Xuong was tortured in a re-education camp for six and a half years. After he was released, he was still completely controlled by communist authorities for more than three years before he was granted back his citizenship. Fortunately, Xuong, his wife (Khen), and their four unmarried children were allowed to come to the United States as refugees in 1994. He and his family were sponsored and helped by volunteer parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and settled in Grand Rapids, MI. His entire family was finally reunited in 2001. Xuong was highly regarded by his fellow law enforcement officers for his integrity, simplicity, and kindness during his time as a chief police officer. He was a devout Catholic who attended daily mass and frequently spent his time in Adoration Chapel. He had a great sense of humor, loved to read, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchild. Xuong is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Khen, and his three daughters: Hoa (Minh), Dung-Thi, Kim-Anh and his two sons: Hong-Anh (Lang) and Van-Anh; grandchildren: Kathy, Staci (Terry), An, Phillip, Mary, Davis, Peter, and Julia; great-grandchild: Dylan. He will be dearly missed by his two brothers, sister, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 3:00-4:30pm (English- with a Rosary at 4:30 pm) and 5:00-6:30 pm (Vietnamese- with a Rosary at 6:30pm) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. An additional visitation will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 3:00-6:00pm at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 11:00am, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Family will greet friends one hour prior to Mass. The burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 4100 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, after a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Killgoar Foundation (IHM school).