We remember with love and gratitude our fellow Toastmaster, Vuong Vo, who died recently.
Vuong was a founding member of two clubs: Le Cercle Toastmasters, one of two francophone clubs, and Discovery Toastmasters (District 86). He was a military officer of the former Republic of Vietnam and, following the communist takeover of South Vietnam, he was forced into various re-education camps.
After several years, he was released and escaped Vietnam by boat. Landing in Galang, Indonesia, he adapted to a new life and helped fellow refugees in the Vocational Centre learn new skills. After ten months, he was accepted by the Canadian government as a landed immigrant. He settled and prospered in his adopted country, never forgetting his family back in Vietnam, whom he supported financially.
He was a passionate advocate of Toastmasters, always asking people he met to join a club – and almost no-
one could refuse him! Karen Lam, a long-time member of Le Cercle, reminisces:
“He was the type of person who cared about every member. He would keep track of all the special occasions like birthdays, New Year, and Christmas so that he could send his greetings and well wishes to everyone. I am very sad that he is no longer with us. It is difficult to put my feelings into words, but I think Vuong’s passion for Toastmasters will continue to live on through the people he interacted with and helped at Toastmasters. If he could see us now, I think he would be proud of us all. “
His sister Thiet writes:
“Up to December 2022, he was still an active member of the two clubs. When his liver cancer got worse, he was admitted to hospital and later moved to Camilla Care Centre. Giving up something he loved to do made him feel sad and empty. Regardless, he still kept his spirits up and kept social circles going through telephone calls and emails. He was fond of all his friends, his students, and his fellow toastmasters. Family and friends meant a lot to him.”
You can see and hear Vuong talking about Toastmasters here.
District 60 honours this wonderful Toastmaster, and offers sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fellow Toastmaster club members.
Poem by Van Vo, Vuong’s brother:
My Brother
My brother is very good-natured
He smiles joyfully as he imagines blooming flowers
Forever young at heart.
Incredibly social and approachable
Fluent speaker of English and French
My brother is an eloquent speaker who has mastered three languages
Students love his attentive and caring teaching style
Spring forever swirls in his mind, loving the sounds wind makes
His life radiates peace, love and oneness
My brother is now old
His heart still hears the birds chirping
He enjoys giving speeches at Toastmasters
The audience’s applause reminds him of the splendour tweets birds share to communicate
Our hometown, bright and sunny, I miss you dear brother
Sending you the loving wind
I wish you all the happiness that exists eternally
Where you are completely free to fly like a kite in the wind
